BJP Fields Slain Aide's Mother Hasirani Rath for Nandigram Bypoll

The BJP has ended weeks of speculation over its candidates for two West Bengal Assembly by-elections, naming Hasirani Rath for Nandigram and Shakharav Sarkar for Rejinagar. The announcements came on Tuesday, a day before the close of nominations.

Rath is the mother of Chandranath Rath, a Chandipur resident who worked as a personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari. He was shot dead at point-blank range by bike-borne assailants in the Madhyamgram area of North 24 Parganas on May 6, two days after election results were declared. He was riding pillion at the time, and the rider was injured in the attack.

After his death, local residents pressed for his mother to be fielded from the Nandigram seat. Adhikari met the family and assured them of justice, and Rath has since continued to express faith in him. She is expected to file her nomination papers in his presence.

Rath, who comes from a middle-class background, has been associated with politics since 1998. She has contested panchayat elections and served two terms as a panchayat member. Her nomination is in line with the party's recent approach in the state, which saw it field Ratna Debnath, mother of an RG Kar medic, from Panihati in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Reacting to her candidature, Rath said the party is organised and that Adhikari, whom she described as her elder son and guardian, would decide her responsibilities.

By-elections for the Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies are scheduled for October 6. The last date for filing nominations is September 16.