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Politics
BJP poised to win West Bengal's Nandigram bypoll as opposition candidates withdraw
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 27 Sep 2026, 06:10 AM
👁 11
The Nandigram assembly bypoll scheduled for Oct 6 is shaping up as a near‑uncontested race, with non‑BJP candidates reportedly withdrawing amid intimidation claims.
West Bengal's Nandigram assembly constituency is set to vote on October 6 in a by‑election that appears to lack genuine competition. The seat, vacated earlier this year, was expected to attract multiple party candidates, but the field has narrowed dramatically.
According to reports from local correspondents, several candidates representing parties other than the Bharatiya Janata Party have pulled out of the race. The withdrawals are said to follow incidents of intimidation, though specific details remain unverified. Election observers note that such pressure, if confirmed, could undermine the fairness of the poll.
With the opposition largely absent, the BJP stands as the clear front‑runner, effectively turning the bypoll into a procedural exercise rather than a contested contest. The Election Commission has been urged to monitor the situation closely to ensure that the voting process remains free and transparent.
Political analysts warn that a near‑unopposed victory may have broader implications for West Bengal's electoral dynamics, potentially emboldening the ruling party while raising concerns about democratic health in the state.
According to reports from local correspondents, several candidates representing parties other than the Bharatiya Janata Party have pulled out of the race. The withdrawals are said to follow incidents of intimidation, though specific details remain unverified. Election observers note that such pressure, if confirmed, could undermine the fairness of the poll.
With the opposition largely absent, the BJP stands as the clear front‑runner, effectively turning the bypoll into a procedural exercise rather than a contested contest. The Election Commission has been urged to monitor the situation closely to ensure that the voting process remains free and transparent.
Political analysts warn that a near‑unopposed victory may have broader implications for West Bengal's electoral dynamics, potentially emboldening the ruling party while raising concerns about democratic health in the state.