The ruling TMC has not announced any candidature, its projected Mamata may contest from Babanipur as she has always won the election from there so far, 2011 and 2016. Possible she may contest from other constituencies as well.
The announcement of BJP’s candidate may be strategic and might force Mamata contest from Babanipur to retain the power, in which case she has to focus on her constituency and she cannot actively be in campaign in other parts of WB. TMC also has shortfall of Mamata being the only election winning face in WB, if she cannot actively participate in campaign in other regions, election will be tough for the ruling party.
Shashi Panja and Bratya Basu of TMC has projected TMC’s victory over Adhikari in either of the places, Babanipur or Nandigram. That unfolds the confidence TMC still has despite, incumbency, lawlessness and appeasement. However the TMC insiders also of the opinion that TMC may feature the surprise candidate.
It can also be remembered it was in Nandigram, where the farmer agitation erupted in 2007 and Adhikari was main aid of Mamata in taking over the power in 2011.
The most imperative element to take a note is the deletion of 47,294 voters in Babanipur.
After Chhattisgarh its Maharashtra now in the row, passing the anti-conversion bill in the assembly
In either case this election is going to be interesting from the national perspective.