The rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) headed by former minister Ritabrata Banerjee on Monday named its candidates for the October 6 by‑elections to the Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly seats in West Bengal, escalating a dispute with the party’s mainstream leadership over the TMC name, organisational control and election symbol [F1][S1].
Mohammad Eteshamul Haque was declared the rebel camp’s nominee for Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, while Safiuzzaman Sheikh will contest the Rejinagar seat in Murshidabad [F2][S1]. The selections mark the first major electoral test for Banerjee’s group since the TMC split after its defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections [F3][S1].
Banerjee’s faction had previously said it would not field a candidate in Nandigram if chief minister Mamata Banerjee herself entered the race [F4][S1]. With the chief minister opting not to contest, the rebel camp moved forward with Haque’s nomination, setting up a direct contest between the two TMC factions [F5][S1].
The mainstream TMC, led by Mamata Banerjee, announced its own slate on Sunday, naming newcomer Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) as its candidate for Nandigram and former MLA Rabiul Alam Chowdhury for Rejinagar [F6][S1].
The rival nominations have turned the bypolls into an unusual showdown in which each side seeks to establish itself as the legitimate successor to the TMC, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to try to exploit the split within the opposition [F7][S1].
The Election Commission of India has already heard arguments from representatives of both camps regarding competing claims to the TMC’s name, organisational machinery, assets and the “Jora Ghash Phool” (twin flowers on grass) election symbol [F8][S1].
The upcoming contests will be closely watched as a barometer of the rebel faction’s electoral strength and its ability to challenge the Banerjee‑led leadership ahead of future state and national elections.
Sources
– The Hindu, “Ritabrata‑led TMC camp names candidates for Bengal bypolls,” September 14 2026, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/ritabrata-led-tmc-camp-names-candidates-for-bengal-bypolls/article71466463.ece
Source: The Hindu – National
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
