Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Mamata Backs Congress in Nandigram, Signaling Bengal Opposition Reset
Mamata Banerjee decided to support the Congress candidate in a local election in Nandigram.
Her own faction had first chosen a candidate, but that person withdrew.
Banerjee said Congress was a friendly and natural partner.
She said opposition parties should work together against the BJP through the INDIA bloc.
The Election Commission had frozen the usual Trinamool Congress name and symbol because of an internal dispute.
The Congress candidate, Milan Pradhan, was later arrested in a case connected to the 2007 Nandigram land agitation.
Some Congress leaders welcomed Banerjee’s support.
Other leaders and observers said the move might be temporary and tactical because the two parties have a long history of disagreement.
Mamata Banerjee endorsed Congress candidate Milan Pradhan on September 18 after her faction’s nominee withdrew from the October 6 Nandigram bypoll.
Banerjee called Congress a “sister party” and “natural ally,” linking the move to strengthening the INDIA bloc and preventing anti-BJP vote division.
The Election Commission froze the Trinamool Congress name and “Jora Ghash Phul” symbol amid an internal party dispute.
Pradhan was arrested and jailed in a case linked to the 2007 Nandigram land agitation after Banerjee announced her support.
Congress leaders welcomed the backing, while Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the BJP, and observers questioned whether it represented a lasting alliance.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee, her faction, Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, the Congress, the BJP, and the Election Commission are the main actors.
- What
- Banerjee backed Milan Pradhan in the Nandigram assembly bypoll after her faction’s candidate withdrew.
- When
- Banerjee announced the support on September 18; the bypoll is scheduled for October 6.
- Where
- Nandigram, West Bengal, India.
- Why
- Banerjee said the decision served the country’s larger interest, strengthened the INDIA bloc, and helped prevent division of the anti-BJP vote.
Supporters of Opposition Coordination
Skeptics of a Lasting Alliance
Meaning of Banerjee’s endorsement
Supporters of Opposition Coordination
Banerjee and Congress leaders said the support could strengthen the INDIA bloc, unite opposition voters, and create a new path for coordination in Bengal.
Skeptics of a Lasting Alliance
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and observers said the timing—after Banerjee’s candidate withdrew—suggested a tactical move rather than an immediate political rapprochement.
Potential electoral effect
Supporters of Opposition Coordination
Supporters said Banerjee’s backing could prevent anti-BJP votes from splitting, while Congress could benefit from her remaining popularity.
Skeptics of a Lasting Alliance
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya said combining the Congress and Trinamool Congress would be like “adding zero to zero” and would not revive either party.
Long-term relationship
Supporters of Opposition Coordination
Banerjee’s description of Congress as a “natural ally” could signal an effort to revive opposition cooperation through the INDIA bloc.
Skeptics of a Lasting Alliance
The two parties have longstanding rivalry and mistrust; Congress wants to rebuild independently in Bengal, while Banerjee has historically resisted arrangements that weaken Trinamool Congress primacy.
- Election
- Nandigram assembly bypoll
- Bypoll date
- October 6
- Congress candidate
- Milan Pradhan
- Withdrawn faction candidate
- Sanchita Pradhan Dey
- Banerjee’s description of Congress
- “Sister party” and “natural ally”
- Electoral dispute
- The Election Commission froze the Trinamool Congress name and “Jora Ghash Phul” symbol.
- Related arrest
- Milan Pradhan was arrested in a case linked to the 2007 Nandigram land agitation.
