The Trinamool Congress has ended speculation regarding Mamata Banerjee contesting the upcoming bypolls by announcing Sanchita Pradhan and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury as their candidates for Nandigram and Rejinagar.
- Mamata Banerjee will not contest the upcoming bypolls, ending intense speculation.
- Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) is fielded from Nandigram; Rabiul Alam Chowdhury from Rejinagar.
- Elections are scheduled for October 6 in South Bengal.
- TMC faces internal split with the Ritabrata Banerjee faction contesting over the party symbol.
In a decisive move to clear the air, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, announced its candidates for the upcoming assembly bypolls on Sunday. This announcement effectively puts to rest the rumors that the former West Bengal Chief Minister would personally contest from the high-stakes Nandigram constituency.
The party has officially named Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) as its candidate for Nandigram and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury for Rejinagar. Additionally, the party confirmed that Abdul Salam will contest from the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam. The by-elections for these key southern Bengal seats are slated to take place on October 6.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that these bypolls are occurring at a critical juncture for the Trinamool Congress. The party is currently embroiled in an internal leadership struggle between the Mamata Banerjee faction and the faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee. The conflict centers on the legal right to the party's official symbol—the 'grass and twin flowers'—a matter currently under review by the Election Commission.
The internal fragmentation of the TMC and the battle for the party symbol could fundamentally alter the political landscape of West Bengal.
The historical context of the Nandigram seat cannot be overlooked. In the 2021 Assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee suffered a narrow defeat in Nandigram to BJP's Suvendu Adhikari. The current vacancy in Nandigram arose after Adhikari vacated the seat following his dual victory in both Nandigram and Bhabanipur.
A Fragmented Opposition
The bypolls also highlight a significant breakdown in opposition unity. Instead of a consolidated front, multiple parties are fielding candidates, potentially splitting the vote. The CPI(M)-led Left Front has nominated Sayeed Asad Aliu (Rejinagar) and Shanti Gopal Giri (Nandigram), while the Congress has fielded Mohd Abdullahil Kafi (Rejinagar) and Milan Pradhan (Nandigram).
| Constituency | TMC Candidate | Left Front Candidate | Congress Candidate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nandigram | Sanchita Pradhan | Shanti Gopal Giri | Milan Pradhan |
| Rejinagar | Rabiul Alam Chowdhury | Sayeed Asad Aliu | Mohd Abdullahil Kafi |
This political maneuvering comes after the TMC's setback in the 2026 Assembly polls, where the party was reduced to 80 MLAs, with more than 65 reportedly aligning with the Ritabrata Banerjee faction.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When are the West Bengal bypolls scheduled?
The elections for Nandigram and Rejinagar are scheduled for October 6.
2. What is the main cause of the TMC internal conflict?
The conflict involves two factions disputing the ownership of the 'grass and twin flowers' party symbol.
