‘Nephew gang behind it’: Suvendu Adhikari links Abhishek Banerjee to aide’s murder

In West Bengal's Nandigram bypolls, the BJP has chosen Hasirani Rath, mother of Chandranath Rath—a former aide to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari—who was assassinated in May. The BJP also selected Shakharav Sarkar, former Murshidabad BJP president, to contest from Rejinagar. Chandranath Rath was murdered on May 6, two days after the West Bengal Assembly elections were declared.

The investigation into his murder has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Hasirani visited two temples in Nandigram before announcing her candidacy, expressing her intention to cooperate with the party organization and work for the area's welfare. She expects support from the chief minister and the two-time MLA.

Hasirani intends to file her nomination papers at the Haldia sub-division office on the day of her announcement. The Nandigram bypoll was triggered by Adhikari's victory in two Assembly constituencies during the recent elections. In Rejinagar, the bypoll was necessitated by Humayun Kabir's resignation from the seat after winning from two constituencies; his son, Golam Nabi Azad (Robin), is contesting.

Other parties have also announced their candidates in both constituencies, with the Mamata Banerjee camp fielding several candidates and rival factions presenting their choices as well.