BJP leader Shubhendu Adhikari's influence in Nandigram remains strong | Read how

In the ongoing panchayat elections in West Bengal, BJP leader Shubhendu Adhikari's influence in the Nandigram area remains prominent, overshadowing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee even in the panchayat polls following the assembly elections.

Shubhendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the assembly, had made his mark by defeating Mamata Banerjee in the Nandigram constituency during the 2021 assembly elections. He aimed to further remove the Trinamool Congress (TMC) from Nandigram in the panchayat elections. The early trends in the counting of panchayat votes indicate BJP's strong performance in Nandigram.

In the Nandigram-Second Panchayat Samiti, BJP is leading, although still behind the ruling TMC. This has sparked speculations about Shubhendu Adhikari's continued influence in Nandigram.

BJP is also leading in both Boyle-1 and Boyle-2 Gram Panchayats. In the Boyal-1 Gram Panchayat, BJP is leading on 8 out of 13 seats, while Trinamool is leading on 5. Similarly, in Boyal-2 Gram Panchayat, BJP is leading on 9 out of 16 seats, with Trinamool leading on 6. Independent candidates are ahead in one seat.

BJP holds the upper hand in Nandigram-2 block, leading in two gram panchayats. The party is leading in 8 out of 15 seats in Khodambari-1 Gram Panchayat, while Trinamool is leading in 7. In Khodambari-2 Gram Panchayat, BJP is ahead in 12 out of 17 seats, with Trinamool leading in 5.

Out of the 10 Gram Panchayats in Nandigram 1, Trinamool holds two and BJP holds three. In East Medinipur district, out of the 223 gram panchayats, Trinamool has secured 52 seats, while BJP has 30.

The battle between BJP and TMC in Nandigram has been intense. Prior to the panchayat elections, Shubhendu Adhikari had expressed confidence that BJP would secure boards in 11 out of 17 gram panchayats, with the remaining 6 going to the 'Grass Roots'.