A mentor-protege rivalry is unfolding again in 2026, as Suvendu Adhikari and his ex-associate, Pabitra Kar, find themselves competing against each other, with Adhikari representing the BJP and Kar representing the Trinamool.
Established in 1967, the Nandigram assembly constituency is predominantly rural. Approximately 97% of its approximately 3.31 lakh inhabitants reside in villages. The constituency is home to a substantial number of Scheduled Castes (16.46%) alongside prominent caste groups such as Mahishya and Bagdi.
The CPI(M) controlled the Nandigram seat from 2001 to 2006, before the Trinamool gained it in 2011 and retained it in 2016 after the protest wave. The BJP marked a significant presence in 2021 with Suvendu Adhikari, who is now defending this seat.
The TMC’s vote share rose from around 45% in the early 2000s to between 60–67% in 2011–16, while the BJP nearly captured 48% in 2021 as Left support dwindled to under 3%.
With an electorate of around 2.75 lakh across 286 polling stations, the 2021 assembly elections recorded an impressive voter turnout of 88.55%.
Nandigram constituency: West Bengal elections 2026 voting date
Polling in West Bengal will take place in two phases: on April 23 and April 29. Nandigram will be voting in the first phase, with results for the 2026 Bengal assembly election to be announced on May 4.
Nandigram constituency: List of candidates 2026
Suvendu Adhikari faces off against Pabitra Kar, who was long regarded as a loyal aide and trusted supporter of the BJP leader. Kar contributed significantly to establishing the BJP’s local presence and was integral to Adhikari’s 2021 campaign.
| Candidate name | Party |
| Suvendu Adhikari | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Pabitra Kar | Trinamool Congress |
| SK Jariatul Hossain | Congress |
Nandigram 2021 assembly election results
In the 2021 elections, Mamata Banerjee faced off against her former ally, Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP, in a crucial contest.
The margin was exceedingly narrow. Suvendu Adhikari garnered 110,764 votes (48.49%), while Mamata Banerjee closely followed with 108,808 votes (47.64%). The final margin was a mere 1,956 votes after recounts.
