TMC Rebel Faction Offers to Back Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram By-Election

An interesting political development has taken place in West Bengal. The rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has announced that it will not field a candidate in the upcoming Nandigram Assembly by-election if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee decides to contest. “We also want Mamata Banerjee to come to the Assembly,” said Ritabrata Banerjee, a leader of the rebel faction and Leader of the Opposition.

In the 2026 Assembly elections, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari won both the Bhabanipur and Nandigram seats. He defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur and later resigned from the Nandigram seat, making a by-election necessary. Following differences within the TMC after the elections, several MLAs formed a rebel faction under the leadership of Ritabrata Banerjee.Speaking to the media on Saturday after meeting Election Commission officials in Delhi, Ritabrata Banerjee said that his faction had almost finalised its candidate but would not field one if Mamata Banerjee contested. “Mamata Banerjee does not win general elections, but she wins by-elections. It would not be good for her to lose from her own turf,” he remarked.

Another rebel leader, Akhruzzaman, appealed to Mamata Banerjee, saying, “Come to Nandigram. We will not field a candidate. Win the election and come to the Assembly. Let us work together for development.”

Meanwhile, the dispute between the two factions over the TMC name and election symbol is still pending before the Election Commission. Mamata Banerjee has not yet responded to the offer.Polling for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly seats is scheduled for October 6, while the results will be announced on October 9. September 16 is the last date for filing nominations.