TMC Factions Prepare for Nandigram Bypoll Amid Party Symbol Dispute

The Trinamool Congress is facing an internal crisis ahead of the October 6 bypoll in Nandigram, as two rival factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee compete for control of the party name and symbol. The Election Commission met with representatives from both groups on September 12 to discuss the dispute. The Ritabrata Banerjee faction, which is supported by more than 65 of the party's 80 MLAs, stated it would withdraw its candidate if Mamata Banerjee decides to contest the seat, even as an independent. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has held discussions with party veteran Akhil Giri, leading to speculation that the party may field a local face for the constituency.

The bypoll was necessitated after BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the 2026 assembly elections and subsequently resigned from the Nandigram seat. Adhikari, who is currently the chief minister, previously defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021. The BJP currently holds 207 seats in the 294 member Assembly. Other candidates have been nominated for the October 6 polls, including Shanti Gopal Giri for the CPI(M) led Left Front and Milan Pradhan for the Congress.

A bypoll is also scheduled for Rejinagar after Aam Janata Unnayan Party leader Humayun Kabir vacated the seat. The AJUP has nominated Golam Nabi Azad, the Left Front has nominated Sayeed Asad Aliu, and the Congress has nominated Mohd Abdullahil Kafi. The deadline for filing nominations is September 16.