West Bengal Elections: CM Mamata Challenges Suvendu Adhikari; Announces To Contest Assembly Polls From Nandigram

Notably, Suvendu Adhikari, who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, had won the the same seat as a TMC candidate in 2016 elections.

Mamata Banerjee (File Photo)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced to fight the upcoming Assembly polls from the Nandigram constituency. The Trinamool Congress supremo would contest the upcoming Bengal polls from two seats, the other one being Bhabanipur. 

Notably, Suvendu Adhikari, who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, had won the same seat as a TMC candidate in 2016 elections. Adhikari is considered to be a very strongman in Nandigram, and now with CM Mamata announcing to contest from the same seat, the poll campaign is expected to raise the heat. 

Addressing a rally in Nandigram today, Banerjee without mentioning Adhikari's name, said that she is she is not worried about those jumping to other parties as when TMC was formed none of them were there. She went on to say that these leaders shifted the party to protect the money "they have looted" in the last few years. 

Mamata further exuded confidence of the TMC returning to power in the state and said that the Nandigram constituency has been lucky for her. 

It can be recalled the former West Bengal Transport and Irrigation Minister and TMC heavyweight from East Midnapore district, Suvendu Adhikari in December 2019 tendered his resignation as an MLA from West Bengal. Days after resigning, Adhikar, along with several other leaders of the TMC, joined the saffron party ahead of State Assembly elections in 2021.