West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has appealed to minority voters in Nandigram, telling them they would not be forced to chant “Jai Shri Ram” if they backed the BJP.

“Yes, we chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’, but we don’t force you to do it. You can choose not to and just say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’,” Adhikari said at a rally in Birulia Bazar on Friday, according to PTI. He asked voters to extend a “hand of friendship” to the BJP.

Adhikari was campaigning for BJP candidate Hasirani Rath in the seat he vacated after winning both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the 2026 assembly election. He noted that minority voters had not backed him in the 2021 and 2026 polls.

He highlighted government schemes such as PM Awaas and the Annapurna Yojana, saying minorities in Nandigram were among the beneficiaries. He repeated the appeal at meetings in Debipur and Narayanchak.

Adhikari said he would be present in Nandigram on counting day, October 9.