The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Central Election Committee announced its candidates for the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly by-elections. According to an official press release issued on Monday, Sakharav Sarkar will contest from the 70-Rejinagar constituency, while Hasirani Rath has been fielded from the 210-Nandigram seat.

The notification was authorised and signed by Rajya Sabha MP and BJP National Headquarters In-Charge Tarun Chugh.

Hasirani Rath's Connection To Bengal CM

Hasirani Rath is the mother of Suvendu Adikari's former personal assistant Chandranath Rath, who had been killed by shooters in May. 

On May 6, two days after the Bengal Assembly election results, 42-year-old Chandranath was shot dead in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the probe and arrested multiple suspects, including contract killers and two BJP workers (Sagar Sonkar and Saheb Sonkar) who had previously worked with Rath and allegedly arranged logistics and recce.

ALSO READ: Bengal Police Raid UP Villages In Chandranath Rath Murder Case; 1 Youth Detained, Interrogation Underway

The Rath family has shared a long-standing political and personal bond with the Adhikari family—a relationship spanning over two decades. The Rath famil

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y has stood by Suvendu Adhikari since the early days of his political rise. Hasirani Rath’s husband passed away in 2024.

Who's Sakharav Sarkar

Sakharav Sarkar is the BJP candidate for the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly by-elections from the Rejinagar constituency in Murshidabad district. He has been fielded to contest against Rabiul Alam Chowdhury of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). The by-election was triggered after the seat was vacated by the previous representative.