The political war of words in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is likely to heat up ahead of Nandigram Assembly bypoll as rival factions gear up for a contest over party identity, name and election symbol.
The Election Commission has announced that the bypoll in Nandigram will be held on October 6 and counting will take place on October 9. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari who won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the West Bengal Assembly election 2026 lost Bhabanipur seat and resigned from Nandigram seat after the vacancy was created.
The timing of the bypoll has given urgency to an already bitter organisational battle in TMC. Mamata Banerjee faction and rebel camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee are both claiming to be “real” Trinamool Congress.
Election Symbol Becomes Central Issue
At stake is the TMC’s own name and its twin-flower-on-grass election symbol. The battle has already gone to the Election Commission where both sides have put forward competing claims about how the party should be organised and led.
The rebel side has said it has the support of a large number of elected representatives and has demanded to be recognised as the real TMC; Mamata Banerjee’s camp has based its argument on the party’s organisational continuity, founding legacy and structure.
The Election Commission has asked the rival camps to give organisational records and evidence for their claims. The outcome could have major implications for the bypoll if the dispute is not resolved when candidates start filing nominations, it may delay the process.
Nandigram Carries Major Political Significance
Nandigram is not an ordinary Assembly constituency for Bengal politics. It has been associated with Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari for long — their political rivalry has become one of the biggest contests in the state so far.
With the bypoll round the corner both TMC factions will want to show organisational strength on the ground. Control of the party symbol could be particularly important since voters usually associate the TMC electoral identity with twin-flower emblem.
It also muddies the waters around candidate selection and campaign strategy. A protracted fight over recognition could undermine efforts to mobilise local workers and supporters.
Rival Camps Intensify Their Claims
The internal fight has already gone beyond statements and organisational meetings. The Mamata-led camp filed complaints against rebel leaders for using the TMC name, symbol and organisation designations without permission. Rebel camp meanwhile is pressing its claim before the Election Commission.
The political stakes are therefore much higher than in a normal by-election. Nandigram could become an early test of which faction can establish greater legitimacy with voters, party workers and elected representatives.
For TMC it is a double whammy: to prepare for a high profile bypoll while fighting an internal battle over the identity of the party itself.
As October 6 approaches, the focus will be on whether Election Commission takes a decision and if the dispute over name and symbol is settled in time or not. Whichever way Nandigram goes it will be a chapter in Bengal’s changing politics.
