A namesake candidate has entered the high-profile Nandigram Assembly contest, adding a new twist to the political battle between BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and Trinamool Congress candidate Pabitra Kar.
An independent candidate named Suvendu Adhikari has filed his nomination from the constituency, raising questions as he has not been seen in the area since the nomination process. His phone has also remained switched off, fuelling speculation.
Namesake candidate raises questions
According to election affidavits, BJP's Suvendu Adhikari is a resident of Nandanayakbad village in Nandigram and is the son of Sisir Kumar Adhikari. In contrast, the independent candidate with the same name is a 44-year-old resident of Kolkata and the son of late Dulalchandra Adhikari.
Despite filing nomination papers, the independent candidate has not been visible in campaign activities. Multiple attempts to contact him between Tuesday and Wednesday were unsuccessful, as his phone remained switched off.
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The absence of the candidate has led to speculation about his role in the contest, especially given the high-stakes nature of the Nandigram seat.
BJP alleges ploy, TMC rejects claim
Reacting to the development, BJP leaders alleged that the move was aimed at confusing voters. Tamluk organisational district BJP co-president Prolay Pal said, "To create confusion and trouble for Suvendu Adhikari, the ruling Trinamool has brought a person with the same name from Kolkata and fielded him as an independent candidate. However, no matter how many such candidates are fielded, our leader, Suvendu Adhikari, will win by a huge margin. It is only a matter of time."
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Trinamool Congress leaders rejected the allegation. Bappaditya Garg, a member of the party's core committee in Nandigram-1 block, said, "Everyone has the democratic right to contest elections. We are not concerned about who is contesting as an independent candidate. Our focus is on our candidate, Pabitra Kar, and we are confident of a decisive victory."
He added, "Why that candidate is not visible in the area is not our concern."
The development has added a fresh layer of intrigue to one of the state's most closely watched electoral battles.
