Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Bengal Political Crisis Deepens Over Nandigram Assembly By-election
West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress has split into two rival groups.
Both groups want to use the party’s original name and symbol.
The Election Commission gave them different temporary names and symbols.
One group is led by Mamata Banerjee, and the other is linked to Ritabrata Banerjee.
The groups are preparing to contest by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar.
Mamata’s preferred Nandigram candidate withdrew after meeting Suvendu Adhikari.
Her faction then supported a Congress candidate, who was reportedly arrested in an old case.
Congress blamed the BJP, but the BJP denied causing the arrest.
The Election Commission will eventually decide which faction can use the original party identity and assets.
Sanchita Dey Pradhan withdrew as the Mamata-led faction’s Nandigram candidate after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
With nominations closed, Mamata Banerjee’s faction backed Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, who was reportedly arrested in an old case.
The Congress blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party, while the BJP denied involvement in the arrest.
The Election Commission of India allotted new names and symbols to two rival Trinamool Congress factions contesting Nandigram and Rejinagar.
Neither faction can currently use the name All India Trinamool Congress or its twin-florets symbol pending a final decision.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool faction, the rival faction led by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee, Congress, the BJP, and the Election Commission of India.
- What
- Two Trinamool factions received separate names and symbols ahead of by-elections, while a dispute intensified over the Nandigram candidacy and party identity.
- When
- The developments occurred on Friday, ahead of the October 6 by-election; the Election Commission announced its interim decision earlier that day.
- Where
- Nandigram in East Midnapore district and Rejinagar in Murshidabad, West Bengal.
- Why
- The factions are contesting control of the Trinamool Congress name, symbol, party funds, and other assets.
Claims and factional positions
Denials and rival positions
Arrest of Congress candidate
Claims and factional positions
Congress blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party for the reported arrest of Milan Pradhan in an old case.
Denials and rival positions
The Bharatiya Janata Party denied responsibility for the arrest.
Ownership of the Trinamool identity
Claims and factional positions
Mamata Banerjee’s faction sought recognition associated with the original Trinamool Congress name and twin-florets symbol.
Denials and rival positions
Ritabrata Banerjee’s faction accepted separate names and symbols and was reportedly satisfied that the original identity was not awarded to Mamata’s faction.
Political alignment of rebels
Claims and factional positions
Rebel Trinamool MPs joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India but said they would support the National Democratic Alliance government.
Denials and rival positions
The BJP ruled out admitting additional Trinamool leaders, leaving the rebel MPs without recognition from the Speaker or entry into the BJP.
- Nandigram poll date
- October 6
- Nandigram candidate withdrawal
- Sanchita Dey Pradhan withdrew after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
- Mamata faction
- Mamata All India Trinamool Congress; symbol: Football Player.
- Rival faction
- Democratic Trinamool Congress; symbol: Envelope.
- Disputed identity
- Neither faction can currently use All India Trinamool Congress or the twin-florets symbol.
- Election authority
- The Election Commission of India will determine the party’s final identity and symbol.
- Other constituency
- The two factions were also set to contest Rejinagar in Murshidabad.