The Election Commission of India has lodged an FIR against Pabitra Kar, the Trinamool Congress candidate from Nandigram, following a complaint from BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari. This complaint was submitted on Thursday morning as per the commission’s statement. Adhikari raised concerns about Kar’s dual party membership, questioning the legality of being part of two political parties simultaneously.
Kar, who initially won a panchayat election for the BJP, joined Trinamool on March 17, 2026, and was nominated for the Nandigram Assembly seat on the same day alongside Trinamool General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Adhikari highlighted Kar’s dual roles as a BJP panchayat member and a Trinamool candidate, emphasizing the need for resignation from one party to avoid candidacy rejection.
In response to the allegations, Pabitra Kar stated that he was unaware of the situation but assured that his actions would be within the bounds of the law. The Election Commission, prompted by Adhikari’s complaint, took swift action by registering an FIR against Kar. The upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, scheduled in two phases on April 23 and 29, with results expected on May 4, have heightened the scrutiny on such electoral practices.
