kolkata

The issue has returned to the political spotlight just days before the October 6 Nandigram Assembly bypoll. The constituency is currently under the Model Code of Conduct and, according to Adhikari, further action in the matter will be taken after the election process is over. Recent reports have also confirmed that the state government has decided to initiate a fresh probe into the circumstances surrounding Banerjee’s 2021 injury.

The incident dates back to March 2021, when Banerjee, then the West Bengal Chief Minister, was campaigning extensively across the state ahead of the Assembly election. Around 20 days before polling, she was injured while campaigning in the Birulia area of Nandigram. At the time, it was reported that she had sustained a serious leg injury and she subsequently campaigned from a wheelchair with her leg in a plaster.

During the campaign, Banerjee had repeatedly referred to the injury while appealing to voters. Her wheelchair campaign became one of the prominent images of the 2021 election, with her using the slogan “Khela Hobe” while campaigning with her injured leg.

The issue was raised again by Adhikari during his campaign in Nandigram ahead of the current bypoll. He alleged that there had been no fracture and claimed that the injury occurred when the open door of Banerjee’s vehicle struck an iron structure and rebounded against her leg.

Adhikari said he had visited SSKM Hospital after becoming Chief Minister and claimed that he had access to a copy of the medical report relating to the incident. According to him, the report prepared by the doctors stated “no fracture”. He also claimed that the original X-ray plate would have been handed over to the patient while the hospital retained the medical report.

Adhikari said that he would make the document public when required and argued that the report would support his version of events. He also pointed out that he is currently in charge of the state’s Home and Police departments and said that the matter could be investigated.

The allegation has been strongly political in nature, with Adhikari revisiting an incident that had become a major feature of the 2021 Nandigram election campaign. Independent reports on his latest remarks describe his claim as an allegation and confirm that he says he has documentary evidence.

The Nandigram bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with counting scheduled for October 9. The election was necessitated after Adhikari vacated the Nandigram Assembly seat following his victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

With the bypoll now approaching, the resurfacing of the 2021 injury controversy has added another political dimension to the campaign. The proposed fresh investigation is expected to examine the medical records and circumstances surrounding the injury, while the claims made by Adhikari remain allegations unless established through the investigation and relevant evidence.