Kolkata, 14 September (H.S.): The rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress led by Ritabrata Banerjee on Monday announced its candidates for the October 6 bypolls to the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies, intensifying the electoral battle with the Mamata Banerjee-led faction amid the ongoing dispute over the party’s name, organisational control and election symbol.

The Ritabrata camp has nominated Mohammad Eteshamul Haque from Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district and Safiuddin Sheikh from Rejinagar in Murshidabad district.

The bypolls will be the first major electoral test for the Ritabrata faction since the TMC split following its defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The faction had earlier said it would not field a candidate from Nandigram if Mamata Banerjee herself contested the seat.

With Mamata Banerjee deciding not to contest from Nandigram, the Ritabrata camp has now fielded its nominee, paving the way for a direct contest between the two rival TMC factions.

The Mamata Banerjee-led faction had on Sunday announced newcomer Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) as its candidate from Nandigram and former MLA Rabiul Alam Chowdhury from Rejinagar.

The decision by both factions to field separate candidates has turned the bypolls into an unusual electoral contest, with both camps seeking to establish themselves as the legitimate political successor to the TMC. The BJP, meanwhile, is looking to capitalise on the division within the opposition party.

The Election Commission has already heard representatives of both factions over their competing claims to the TMC’s name, organisational machinery, assets and the ‘Jora Ghash Phool’ election symbol. The dispute over the party’s name and election symbol remains unresolved.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh