Archive · 18 Sep 2026
CPI(M) Says Left Forces Will Oppose BJP in Bengal
The Trinamool Congress has split into rival groups in West Bengal.
The Election Commission gave each group a different name and election symbol.
Mamata Banerjee’s group received the Football Player symbol.
The other group, led by Arup Roy, received the Envelope symbol.
Banerjee’s candidate withdrew from the Nandigram bypoll.
Her group then decided to support a Congress candidate.
The CPI(M) said this showed that the Trinamool Congress was facing serious organisational problems.
It also said Left and secular parties could become the main opposition to the BJP in the state.
The CPI(M) said Left, democratic and secular forces would become the BJP’s main opposition in West Bengal.
CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty claimed the Trinamool Congress was facing an organisational crisis.
The Election Commission allotted rival Trinamool factions different names and symbols amid an ongoing dispute.
Mamata Banerjee’s faction was allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the Football Player symbol.
After its candidate withdrew from the Nandigram bypoll, Banerjee’s faction announced support for the Congress candidate.
- Who
- The CPI(M), Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool faction, the rival faction led by Arup Roy, and Congress candidates are involved.
- What
- The CPI(M) predicted that Left forces would become the BJP’s main opposition, amid a dispute over rival Trinamool factions, party names, symbols, and a bypoll candidate.
- When
- The statement was made on Friday, September 18, ahead of bypolls scheduled for October 6.
- Where
- West Bengal, with the statement reported from Kolkata and the candidate dispute centered on Nandigram.
- Why
- The developments occurred amid an organisational dispute between rival Trinamool Congress factions and preparations for the bypolls.
CPI(M)’s assessment
Mamata faction’s election position
Trinamool Congress’s condition
CPI(M)’s assessment
The CPI(M) said the Trinamool Congress had lost its earlier identity and symbol and was facing an organisational crisis.
Mamata faction’s election position
Mamata Banerjee’s faction continued its electoral activity, received a new name and symbol from the Election Commission, and backed a Congress candidate in Nandigram.
Nandigram bypoll
CPI(M)’s assessment
CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty described Banerjee’s decision to support Congress as an act of desperation.
Mamata faction’s election position
Banerjee announced support for the Congress candidate after her faction’s candidate, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, withdrew her nomination.
- CPI(M) claim
- Left, democratic and secular forces will become the main opposition to the BJP in West Bengal.
- Mamata faction name
- Mamata All India Trinamool Congress
- Mamata faction symbol
- Football Player
- Arup Roy faction name
- Democratic Trinamool Congress
- Arup Roy faction symbol
- Envelope
- Upcoming bypolls
- Scheduled for October 6
- Nandigram development
- Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew as the Mamata faction’s candidate, after which the faction backed the Congress candidate.