Pabitra Kar

Pabitra Kar is contesting from the politically sensitive yet prestigious Nandigram Assembly constituency in the 2026 West Bengal elections, setting up a high-profile contest against his former mentor, Suvendu Adhikari.

A grassroots leader from Purba Medinipur, Kar began his political journey in local governance in Nandigram-II block. He was once closely associated with Adhikari during the Trinamool Congress’s rise in the region following the Nandigram movement.

Kar later switched to the BJP in 2020, where he held an organisational role at the district level and worked to strengthen the party’s base in pockets of Nandigram. He was seen as a key local figure during the 2021 Assembly elections, when Adhikari defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a closely fought contest.

In a significant political turnaround ahead of the 2026 polls, Kar rejoined the Trinamool Congress and was immediately named the party’s candidate from Nandigram. His candidature adds a personal dimension to the contest, with the TMC banking on his local connect and familiarity with the constituency’s political dynamics.

Nandigram, a constituency with deep political symbolism in West Bengal, is expected to witness a closely watched multi-cornered battle, but the spotlight remains firmly on the Kar-Adhikari face-off in this election cycle.

Candidate Info: Pabitra Kar is the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate contesting from Nandigram (General) Assembly constituency for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. This male candidate is 43 years of age, according to the election affidavit submitted to the Election Commission of India.