Rebel TMC fields candidates in Nandigram, Rejinagar against Mamata camp
Rival Trinamool Congress factions have fielded candidates in the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls. The contest will be the first electoral test of the split amid an unresolved battle over the party's name and symbol.
The rival Trinamool Congress factions have set up a direct contest in the October 6 bypolls to the Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly seats, with the rebel camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee announcing its candidates on Monday. The move takes the battle with the Mamata Banerjee-led faction to a new stage as the dispute over the party's name, organisational control and election symbol remains unresolved.
The development is significant as it will be the first major electoral test for the rebel faction since the TMC split after the party's defeat in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. With both sides now in the fray, the bypolls have turned into an unusual contest over which camp represents the political successor to the TMC.
Mohammad Eteshamul Haque will contest from Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district as the rebel TMC candidate, while Safiuddin Sheikh has been nominated from Rejinagar in Murshidabad. The Ritabrata camp had earlier said it would not field a candidate from Nandigram if Mamata Banerjee herself contested the seat.
As Mamata Banerjee has not entered the contest, the faction has now put up its nominee in Nandigram, paving the way for a direct fight between the two TMC camps. On Sunday, the Mamata-led faction had announced Sanchita Pradhan (Dey), a new face, as its candidate from Nandigram and former MLA Rabiul Alam Chowdhury from Rejinagar.
The rival nominations have sharpened the political contest, with both factions seeking to establish themselves as the legitimate claimant to the TMC legacy, while the BJP is looking to benefit from the split in the opposition party. The Election Commission has already heard representatives of both camps over their competing claims to the TMC name, organisational machinery, assets and the 'Jora Ghash Phool' symbol.
In effect, the October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar will now serve as the first electoral face-off between the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC faction and the rebel group led by Ritabrata Banerjee, against the backdrop of an unresolved battle over the party's identity and symbol.