Nandigram Bypoll: Rebel TMC Challenges Mamata, BJP Puts Suvendu Adhikari in Charge

The battle over the Trinamool Congress (TMC) name and election symbol is spilling into the Nandigram Assembly bypoll, with the rebel faction challenging Mamata Banerjee to contest the seat while the BJP has assigned Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari organisational responsibility for the constituency.

The West Bengal BJP has constituted a 263-member state executive committee ahead of the October 6 bypolls, assigning key organisational roles to senior leaders. Adhikari has been given charge of the Tamluk organisational district, which includes Nandigram.

The rebel TMC faction has publicly offered not to field a candidate against Banerjee if she contests Nandigram. Rebel spokesperson Riju Dutta said the faction wanted her to contest, win and return to the Assembly. Rebel MLA Madan Mitra said the move would prevent a split in the anti-BJP vote and counter allegations that the dissident camp is the BJP's “B-team”.

The offer comes as rival TMC factions await the Election Commission's decision on the party's name and twin-flower-on-grass symbol. The Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction has said it will claim the name and symbol, while preparing to contest as independents if the dispute remains unresolved.

Nandigram carries major political significance for the TMC. Banerjee lost the seat to Adhikari in the 2021 Assembly election after making it the centrepiece of her campaign. In the 2026 polls, Adhikari again defeated Banerjee in Nandigram, while retaining Bhabanipur after vacating the former seat, leading to the bypoll.

The TMC's post-election crisis has deepened, with 65 of its 80 MLAs backing the rebel camp's claim to the Leader of the Opposition post.

Nominations for the October 6 bypoll began Wednesday, with September 16 as the last date. Counting will take place on October 9, making Nandigram a crucial test of the TMC's political legacy and competing factions' strength.