Sahabuddin accused of threatening Hindu voters, Suvendu demands arrest

BJP candidate from Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari, spent the early hours of the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on April 23, 2026, touring multiple polling booths to oversee the voting process. Adhikari made serious allegations regarding the integrity of the polling, specifically targeting the conduct of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and the alleged presence of anti-social elements.

During his visit to the Brajmohan Tiwari High School and Badnakachira booths, he expressed open dissatisfaction, claiming that voters were being actively influenced and intimidated by ruling party supporters. Adhikari leveled sharp accusations at the local administration, questioning why individuals he identified as having criminal histories were permitted to roam freely near polling stations.

He specifically raised concerns about the presence of a person he referred to as Shahabuddin, alleging that this individual was instrumental in preventing Hindu voters from reaching the polling booths. Adhikari demanded to know from the central forces why such accused individuals were not in custody, describing the environment as one of systemic voter suppression targeted at his supporters.