Nandigram, Mar 22: The battle for Nandigram between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her friend-turned-foe Suvendu Adhikari has turned a hotcake for all national and regional media houses in the country.

The prestige battle between Mamata and her former minister Suvendu has hogged the political spotlight that is expected to witness a close fight with politics changing its course day-by-day in Nandigram.

While the contest in Nandigram was seen to be tough one with political speculations favouring Mamata, it has changed its course with time. Mega rallies and campaigns in support of Suvendu are clearly seen after Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan led his poll campaign.

The Union Minister’s oratory and organisational skill winning thousands of youths towards the saffron party after Suvendu Adhikari’s cavalcade was attacked by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) goons in Sona Chura area of Nandigram Assembly constituency on March 18. One of the Yuva Morcha workers of BJP was brutally attacked in presence of the local police, who was admitted to the local Nandigram hospital by the Union Minister.

Pradhan’s sharp criticism against the hooliganism of TMC aired by all most all leading news organisations of the country has put the TMC in tizzy and on the other hand the BJP is garnering sympathy.

Suvendu is gaining a stronghold as an undercurrent is in flow in favour of him with young voters shifting their allegiance to the BJP after the former TMC minister joined the saffron party.

The “Jai Shree Ram” chant is heard louder and clear in Nandigram triggering religious polarisation with Dharmendra steering the helm.

Though Mamata is leaving no stone unturned to attract the Hindu voters by saying she is a Hindu Brahmin, young Hindu voters are inclining towards the BJP.