BJP candidate Hasirani Rath leads early count in West Bengal Nandigram bypoll

Counting of votes for the Nandigram by-election has begun, with the Election Commission of India stationing extensive security at the counting centers. Early trends released by local sources place BJP's Hasirani Rath in the lead over his rivals. The poll, conducted on October 6, recorded a turnout of 80.89 percent in the East Midnapore district of West Bengal.

The vacancy arose when Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur, chose to keep the latter seat. The contest follows a turbulent pre-poll period, including the withdrawal of AITC candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey and the subsequent backing of Congress nominee Milan Pradhan, who was later granted bail by the Calcutta High Court after an arrest related to a 2007 murder case.