In a show of strength ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday led a Ram Navami procession through Bhabanipur, where he is contesting against Mamata Banerjee, signalling an aggressive push to challenge the Chief Minister on her home turf.
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The rally began at Ajanta Dhaba near Jadubabuโs Market, where Adhikari joined the procession wearing a saffron turban. Accompanied by the rhythmic beats of khol and kartal, devotional singers, and chants of โJai Shri Ram,โ the procession quickly drew large crowds. Residents gathered along the streets and from balconies to witness the event, with Adhikari at times stepping into homes to interact with locals.
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The Bhabanipur leg is part of a broader schedule, with Adhikari set to attend multiple Ram Navami events across the state. However, his decision to prioritise Bhabanipur underscores the strategic importance of the constituency, where he is contesting against Mamata.
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During the procession, Adhikari outlined his vision for the state, invoking the idea of โRam Rajya.โ
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โThis time, Bengal will see a system where every hand has work, every stomach has food, and every head has a roof. Womenโs safety will be ensured, and the youth will find employment within the state,โ he said.
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Political observers view Adhikariโs candidature from Bhabanipur as a calculated move by the BJP to mount a direct and symbolic challenge to Mamata in a constituency long considered her stronghold.
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Mamata, meanwhile, was away from Kolkata on Thursday, addressing campaign rallies in Pandabeshwar and Dubrajpur. Analysts suggest the timing of the rally allowed the BJP to maximise its visibility in her absence.
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The TMC has also intensified its campaign in Bhabanipur. Party leader Abhishek Banerjee recently urged workers to secure additional votes at the grassroots level. In the previous by-election, Mamata Banerjee had won the seat by a margin of around 58,000 votes, with the party now aiming to surpass that figure.
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With both sides ramping up efforts, Bhabanipur is fast emerging as one of the most closely watched and fiercely contested constituencies in the upcoming polls.