Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Rival TMC Factions Name Candidates for Bengal Bypolls
Two groups claiming to represent the Trinamool Congress have chosen different candidates for two West Bengal by-elections.
Mamata Banerjee’s group selected Sanchita Pradhan Dey in Nandigram and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury in Rejinagar.
Ritabrata Banerjee’s group selected Mohammad Eteshamul Haque in Nandigram and Safiuddin Sheikh in Rejinagar.
The groups are arguing over who should control the party’s name and familiar election symbol.
The Election Commission is studying documents from both sides.
It might give the symbol to one group or temporarily freeze it.
The elections are scheduled for October 6.
Most reports say votes will be counted on October 9, though one report says November 9.
The Mamata Banerjee faction nominated Sanchita Pradhan Dey in Nandigram and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury in Rejinagar.
The Ritabrata Banerjee faction named Mohammad Eteshamul Haque for Nandigram and Safiuddin Sheikh for Rejinagar, with spellings varying across reports.
Both factions claim the Trinamool Congress name, organisation, assets and twin-flowers-on-grass election symbol.
The Election Commission of India has sought documents from both camps and had not resolved the symbol dispute before nominations closed on September 16.
Polling is scheduled for October 6 and counting for October 9, although one report gives November 9 as the results date.
- Who
- The Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee factions of the Trinamool Congress, along with candidates from the Left Front, Congress, AJUP and other parties.
- What
- By-elections will be held in Nandigram and Rejinagar amid a dispute between rival Trinamool Congress factions over the party identity and symbol.
- When
- Voting is scheduled for October 6; nominations close on September 16. Most reports schedule counting for October 9, while one report says November 9.
- Where
- Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district and Rejinagar in Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
- Why
- The seats became vacant after Suvendu Adhikari retained Bhabanipur and Humayun Kabir retained Naoda; the polls also serve as an electoral test of the rival TMC factions.
Mamata Banerjee Faction
Ritabrata Banerjee Faction
Party identity and symbol
Mamata Banerjee Faction
The faction claims to be the authentic Trinamool Congress and seeks control of the party name, organisation, assets and twin-flowers-on-grass symbol.
Ritabrata Banerjee Faction
The faction also claims to represent the authentic Trinamool Congress and says it will contest using the original party name and symbol.
Nandigram candidacy
Mamata Banerjee Faction
The faction nominated Sanchita Pradhan Dey for Nandigram.
Ritabrata Banerjee Faction
The faction said it would withdraw if Mamata Banerjee contested, but nominated Mohammad Eteshamul Haque after she did not enter the race.
Possible Election Commission outcome
Mamata Banerjee Faction
The faction is contesting while the symbol dispute remains unresolved and was described by one report as having an advantage in the document process.
Ritabrata Banerjee Faction
The faction is also contesting before a decision, while asserting its claim to the original symbol. The symbol could be frozen or assigned to one faction, requiring different identities for the other.
- Mamata faction candidates
- Sanchita Pradhan Dey for Nandigram and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury for Rejinagar
- Ritabrata faction candidates
- Mohammad Eteshamul Haque for Nandigram and Safiuddin Sheikh for Rejinagar; names are spelled differently in some reports
- Polling date
- October 6
- Counting date
- October 9 according to most reports; one report states November 9
- Nomination deadline
- September 16
- Election symbol dispute
- Both factions claim the Trinamool Congress name, organisational control, assets and twin-flowers-on-grass symbol
- Other candidates
- The Left Front and Congress announced candidates; AJUP fielded Golam Nabi Azad in Rejinagar, while the BJP had not yet announced candidates
Sources
Mamata Banerjee TMC faction names candidates for October 6 by-elections to Nandigram and Rejinagar - Telegraph India
Nandigram bypoll: TMC rebels to field candidate against Mamata
Rebel TMC camp names candidates for Nandigram, Rejinagar seats; symbol battle adds twist to bypolls
Rebel Trinamool faction announces candidates for Bengal bypolls in Nandigram, Rejinagar