Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Rebel TMC Challenges Mamata Banerjee to Contest Nandigram Bypoll
Riju Dutta, a spokesperson for a rebel group linked to the Trinamool Congress, challenged Mamata Banerjee to run in Nandigram.
He said the rebel group would not nominate anyone against her there.
The group is also asking for the Trinamool Congress name and election symbol.
Dutta said his group followed the election rules and expects a decision soon.
He claimed some workers faced attacks and false police cases.
He asked election officials to make the contest fair.
He also said the group expects to win in Rejinagar.
Voting for the bypolls is planned for October 6, 2026, and votes will be counted three days later.
Rebel Trinamool Congress spokesperson Riju Dutta challenged Mamata Banerjee to contest the Nandigram bypoll.
Dutta said the rebel faction would not field a candidate against Banerjee in Nandigram.
He claimed the group expects to receive the Trinamool Congress name and election symbol from the Election Commission of India.
Dutta alleged attacks on party workers and false police cases, calling for a fair and impartial election.
West Bengal bypoll voting is scheduled for October 6, 2026, with counting on October 9.
- Who
- Riju Dutta, the Rebel Trinamool Congress spokesperson, and Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress chief.
- What
- Dutta challenged Banerjee to contest the Nandigram bypoll and said the rebel faction would not field a candidate against her.
- When
- The remarks were made on Wednesday; polling is scheduled for October 6, 2026, with counting on October 9, 2026.
- Where
- Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal, among the constituencies covered by the announced by-elections.
- Why
- Dutta said the rebel faction wanted a fair election and was seeking recognition of the Trinamool Congress name and election symbol.
- Polling date
- October 6, 2026
- Counting date
- October 9, 2026
- Nomination deadline
- September 16, 2026
- Withdrawal deadline
- September 19, 2026
- Nandigram proposal
- The rebel faction said it would not field a candidate against Mamata Banerjee if she contests there.
- Election symbol claim
- Dutta said the group expects the Election Commission of India to grant it the Trinamool Congress name and symbol.
- Other constituency claim
- Dutta said the rebel group's candidate would win in Rejinagar.