West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday confirmed that he will represent the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, stepping down from the Nandigram seat after winning both in the recent state elections. The announcement came shortly after he took oath as an MLA in the state Assembly.
“I cannot take oath as an MLA from two Assembly Constituencies. I have taken oath as the MLA from Bhabanipur. I will have to leave the Nandigram Assembly Constituency...” the BJP leader told reporters, according to ANI.
#WATCH | Kolkata: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari says, "I cannot take oath as an MLA from two Assembly Constituencies. I have taken oath as the MLA from Bhabanipur. I will have to leave the Nandigram Assembly Constituency..." pic.twitter.com/RHkqAu3Ld1
— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2026
Decision follows electoral rules on dual seats
As per election rules, a candidate cannot retain two Assembly constituencies at the same time, making it mandatory to vacate one seat. Adhikari’s decision aligns with similar moves seen in other states. In Tamil Nadu, Vijay, who is now chief minister, had also contested from two constituencies and later chose to retain Perambur while giving up Tiruchirappalli East.
Adhikari had secured victories in both Bhabanipur and Nandigram, making his choice of seat a closely watched development in Bengal’s political landscape.
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Assures continued focus on Nandigram
Even as he announced his decision, Adhikari sought to reassure voters in Nandigram that their interests would remain a priority.
“…I will not let the people there feel my absence during the next five years,” he said.
“I will fulfil all development promises I made to the people of Nandigram alongside the rest of the state,” Adhikari told reporters outside the Assembly.
Suvendu Adhikari took oath as MLA today File Image The move will now pave the way for a bypoll in the Nandigram constituency, where a new representative will be elected.
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Oath ceremony and electoral margins
Earlier in the day, Adhikari was welcomed at the West Bengal Legislative Assembly with a Guard of Honour. In a symbolic gesture, he bowed at the entrance steps before entering the House.
In the Bhabanipur contest, he defeated Mamata Banerjee by 15,105 votes in a tightly fought race. In Nandigram, he retained his stronghold with a margin of 9,665 votes against TMC candidate Pabitra Kar.
With the seat decision settled, attention now shifts to the upcoming bypoll in Nandigram.
