West Bengal Bypolls: Nandigram Contest Enters Fresh Phase as Mamata Backs Congress Candidate | Indian Rajneeti
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West Bengal Bypolls: Nandigram Contest Enters Fresh Phase as Mamata Backs Congress Candidate
Haripriya 21 Sept 2026 3 min read 173 views
Kolkata, September 21, 2026: Political activity in West Bengal has intensified ahead of the October 6 Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar. The Nandigram contest has drawn particular attention after former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee withdrew her faction's candidate and announced support for Congress nominee Milan Pradhan.
The development followed an Election Commission decision to freeze the traditional Trinamool Congress name and its “Jora Ghash Phul” symbol amid an internal party dispute. The two factions were assigned separate names and symbols for the upcoming bypolls.
Mamata Backs Congress in Nandigram
Mamata Banerjee's decision to support Congress candidate Milan Pradhan has added a new dimension to the Nandigram election. Her faction's candidate, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, withdrew from the contest shortly before the nomination deadline, after which Banerjee announced support for Pradhan.
The move is notable because Congress and Trinamool Congress have had periods of cooperation as well as prolonged political differences in West Bengal. Their earlier alliances included the 2001 Assembly election and the 2009 election, while the two parties jointly contested the 2011 Assembly election that ended the Left Front's long tenure in the state.
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The Nandigram contest faced another development when Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested in connection with a case dating back to 2007, related to an agitation over land acquisition. A local court subsequently remanded him to judicial custody until October 3.
The arrest has become part of the political debate surrounding the bypoll. Congress and other opposition figures have raised questions about the timing, while the legal proceedings are being handled through the judicial process.
BJP Intensifies Campaign
The BJP has continued its campaign in Nandigram, with candidate Hasirani Rath conducting public outreach with party leaders and workers. Recent reporting indicates that BJP workers have maintained a visible campaign presence in the constituency ahead of polling.
The contest is therefore developing around several Political Parties (opens in a new tab) and competing campaign strategies. Public meetings, Rallies and campaign Speech are expected to increase as the October 6 polling date approaches.
Rejinagar Also Sees Political Activity
The Rejinagar bypoll has also witnessed developments involving candidates and political groups. An Independent candidate, Saiful Islam, was arrested in connection with a five-year-old case relating to a clash between two groups during the 2021 Assembly election.
The two bypolls are being closely watched because they come amid wider changes in West Bengal's political landscape. The Election (opens in a new tab) Commission's decisions concerning party names and symbols, candidate withdrawals and the changing campaign alignments have all contributed to an unusually fluid pre-poll environment.
What to Watch Before October 6
The coming weeks are likely to see intensified campaigning in both constituencies. Voters will hear competing positions from the BJP, Congress, TMC-related factions and other Political Parties through public meetings and Rallies.
The Nandigram and Rejinagar results will also provide an indication of how voters respond to the current political realignment in these constituencies. The final outcome, however, will be determined by the votes cast and counted in the October 6 bypolls.
“Rittick Mondal is a journalist covering West Bengal politics and electoral developments. His reporting includes recent developments surrounding the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls.”
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