Shuvendu Adhikari's Frequent Visits to Bhabanipur Spark Political Speculation

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, February 23, 2025, Kolkata : The political landscape of West Bengal is abuzz with speculation regarding BJP leader and Nandigram MLA Shuvendu Adhikari's increasing focus on Bhabanipur. His repeated visits, meetings, processions, and rallies in the constituency have raised questions about his political strategy and future electoral plans.

On Sunday, Adhikari attended the 'Mann Ki Baat' program in the Theater Road area of the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency. His continuous presence in the region has led political analysts to believe that he may have a strategic interest beyond his current constituency. Adhikari has previously stated that contesting from Bhabanipur would be more favorable for him compared to Nandigram, citing the significant presence of non-Bengali voters in the area.

His recent activities include leading a procession in the Rash Behari-Tollygunge area, adjacent to Bhabanipur, in protest against alleged attacks on party workers. Furthermore, he raised the issue of Bhabanipur during a speech at the Assembly gates, urging Hindu voters to unite and participate actively in the political process.

Will Shuvendu contest from Bhabanipur constituency in 2026? This question is also circulating in the political circles. Although the opposition leader has not explicitly stated that he will contest from Bhabanipur, he has hinted at an interest in Mamata Banerjee's constituency. At one time, Shuvendu primarily held 90 to 95 percent of his programs in Nandigram, occasionally conducting events outside. Regarding this, Shuvendu remarked, "We were holding a procession. In front of Taj Bengal and the Animal Hospital. There were no Trinamool people there. I came here and saw the reading room of the National Library. I had tea and snacks. For me, Bhabanipur is much easier than Nandigram."

Adhikari's repeated engagements in Bhabanipur have led to speculation about whether he intends to contest from this key constituency in the future. Political circles are closely watching his moves, as his potential candidature from Bhabanipur could significantly impact the state's political dynamics. However, no official announcement has been made regarding his electoral plans, leaving room for further conjecture and debate within West Bengal’s political corridors.