The ‘son of the house’ is now the Chief Minister of the state. Carrying that responsibility, Suvendu Adhikari held his first public meeting in his ‘home’ Nandigram on Sunday. His meeting in Nandigram today holds special significance. In the 2026 elections, Suvendu contested from this constituency as well as from Bhawanipur, the former Chief Minister’s stronghold. He won both seats by huge margins. Following the rules, he relinquished the Nandigram seat. This made the local residents worried about how development work would continue if Suvendu left. On Sunday, the Chief Minister reassured them at the public meeting. He said, “I have followed the constitutional rules and kept one seat while giving up the other. But do not be upset. Your Suvendu is with you and will remain with you. Just as you have had me since 2003, you will have me in the same way today.”

Suvendu said, “I have been with you from the 2006 movement until today. At that time, I was the MLA for South Kanthi. In 2009, Firoza Bibi won the by-election, and I was not an MLA then. In 2021, you made me win from here. I will repay the debt of that victory; trust me. In Nandigram, the BJP has grown from a seed to a banyan tree and reached the peak of victory. The Trinamool has been uprooted from here. Whatever services you used to receive from my party office before, you will still receive them.”

In the 2026 elections, Suvendu Adhikari won from Nandigram by more than 9,000 votes, and his margin of victory over Mamata Banerjee in Bhawanipur was more than 15,000. However, he cannot represent two seats simultaneously. Therefore, after celebrating the victory in Bhawanipur, Suvendu Adhikari gave up the Nandigram seat. The glory of defeating Mamata Banerjee at her own booth is unique, like a golden feather in his political career. That victory has placed him in the Chief Minister’s chair. So, ‘Can one forget one’s home?’ On Sunday, in Nandigram, Suvendu’s words repeatedly echoed that home.

He said, “I have been with you from the 2006 movement until today. At that time, I was the MLA for South Kanthi. In 2009, Firoza Bibi won the by-election, and I was not an MLA then. In 2021, you made me win from here. I will repay the debt of that victory; trust me. In Nandigram, the BJP has grown from a seed to a banyan tree and reached the peak of victory. The Trinamool has been uprooted from here. Whatever services you used to receive from my party office before, you will still receive them. You will not see any change in me, I assure you. I was with you in storms, rains, and cold waves, I am with you, and I will remain.”

Nandigram

Nandigram is a historic town in the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India, known for its significant role in Indian politics and rural activism. It gained international attention in 2007 for large-scale protests against a proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by the Salim Group, which led to violent clashes and a major political controversy. Historically, the area is also noted for its agricultural heritage and its association with the broader cultural landscape of the Bengal region.

Bhawanipur

Bhawanipur is a locality in the southern part of Kolkata, India, known for its vibrant cultural and intellectual history. It was a prominent hub for the Bengali Renaissance during the 19th and early 20th centuries, hosting many artists, writers, and reformers. Today, it remains a bustling area with a mix of historic buildings, markets, and educational institutions.

South Kanthi

South Kanthi is a historical region in present-day West Bengal, India, known for its rich cultural heritage and association with the ancient kingdom of Kalinga. The area has a long history of trade and maritime activity, with archaeological evidence suggesting settlements dating back to early medieval times. Today, it is recognized for its traditional crafts, temples, and the enduring legacy of its past as a crossroads of cultures.