BJP fields mother of slain CM aide in West Bengal by-election

The BJP has fielded Hasirrani Rath as its candidate for the Nandigram assembly by-election in West Bengal. Rath is the mother of Chandranath Rath, who served as personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and was killed in May in Midnapore.

Hasirrani has won five panchayat and panchayat samiti elections previously. Adhikari has pledged to support the family, visiting them after Chandranath's death and promising to act as a guardian to the family.

The by-election was announced after the Election Commission set October 6 as polling day for Nandigram. Adhikari is expected to be present when Hasirrani files her nomination.