By Admin 
This time the contest in the electoral arena of West Bengal has become even more interesting. A symbolic conflict of “Ram Mandir vs Babri Masjid” has arisen within a radius of about 90 kilometers between Shantipur in Nadia and Beldanga in Murshidabad. The special thing is that the candidates representing both the parties have rebelled against their respective parties and entered the fray. One is a former face associated with BJP and the other is a leader who has separated from TMC. In such a situation, this election has become not just a fight for seats, but a big test of identity, religion and political strategy, on which the eyes of the entire state are fixed.
Ram temple’s support to those who separated from BJP
Before the assembly elections to be held on 29 April 2026 in Shantipur of Nadia district of West Bengal, politics has taken a unique form. The contest here is now being seen not just between parties, but as “Ram versus Ram”. Shantipur is a place of historical and religious importance. This is the land where the great 15th century poet Kritibas Ojha was born. He made the Bengali adaptation of Valmiki Ramayana, which is still read with wide devotion in Bengal. Taking this legacy forward, Arindam Bhattacharya is developing ‘Shri Kritibas Ram Mandir’ and a heritage corridor on the banks of Ganga on 15 bighas of land. This Arindam is trying his luck as an independent candidate. He lost the election in 2021 on BJP ticket. In 2016, he became MLA for the first time on Congress ticket.
The special thing is that the form of the temple will be on the lines of Ayodhya, but the idol of Ram installed in it will be in ‘Bengali form’ according to Kritibasi Ramayana. This temple is being built in Champatola, Sadughat area, which is about 90 kilometers from Beldanga in Murshidabad—where the construction of a replica of Babri Masjid in Beldanga has also been in the news.
Babri Masjid also with the support of rebel
Bengal elections are now becoming the center of not only political but also cultural and religious debate. Suspended TMC MLA and founder of Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) Humayun Kabir has announced to build a mosque on the model of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, due to which political controversy has intensified. This mosque being built in Beldanga, Murshidabad is being called ‘Bengal Babri Masjid’. Kabir has laid its foundation stone and claimed that this project will be completed in two years.
Before the 2026 assembly elections, this step is being directly linked to vote bank politics. Kabir is now contesting from Nawada seat under the banner of his new party AJUP and is challenging TMC. Many parties including BJP have expressed strong objection to this issue, due to which the politics of Bengal seems to be becoming more polarized before the elections.
After all, this election has become not just a battle of victory and defeat, but of narrative. This contest between rebel candidates will tell whether the people of Bengal choose emotional issues or political credibility. After the results are out, its impact on the politics of the state will be visible far and wide.