The political battle for Nandigram intensified on Friday as BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari led a massive 4-km Ram Navami procession from Tengua to Janakinath Temple. Amidst the religious fervour, Suvendu dealt a significant blow to the ruling party, claiming that 11 TMC leaders had switched sides to join the BJP. This defection occurred just as TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee was scheduled to address a major rally in nearby Kolaghat.

Taking a swipe at Abhishek Banerjee, Suvendu remarked, “He is practicing the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan now because after May 4th (Result Day), he will have to seek refuge in Lord Ram anyway.” He further stirred the pot by stating that the TMC’s primary electoral contest in Nandigram is with the ISF rather than the BJP. In this high-stakes seat, Suvendu is facing TMC’s Pavitra Kar, a former BJP member and once a close aide of Adhikari.