TMC Factional War Escalates: By-poll Nominations Mark Point of No Return

By Political Correspondent
September 15, 2026

The ongoing internal schism within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) reached a volatile tipping point on Monday, September 14, 2026, as the rebel faction headed by Ritabrata Banerjee officially announced its candidates for the upcoming by-elections in the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies. Scheduled for October 6, these polls have transitioned from routine legislative contests into a high-stakes ideological and structural battle for the soul—and the legal identity—of one of West Bengal’s most influential political forces.

The nominations signal a formal declaration of war between the faction loyal to party supremo Mamata Banerjee and the dissident group led by Ritabrata Banerjee. With both sides claiming to be the "true" custodians of the TMC’s legacy, the by-elections represent the first major electoral litmus test since the party’s fracture following the devastating defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

The Candidates and the Battlefield

In a move that has sent ripples through the state’s political corridors, the Ritabrata-led faction named Mohammad Eteshamul Haque as its candidate for the Nandigram seat in Purba Medinipur. Simultaneously, the group nominated Safiuzzaman Sheikh to represent the party in Rejinagar, located in the Murshidabad district.

This announcement followed a strategic pause by the rebel faction, which had previously indicated it would refrain from fielding a candidate in Nandigram if Mamata Banerjee chose to contest the seat herself. By opting not to run in the constituency, the Mamata-led camp opened a vacuum that the dissidents were quick to fill.

The Mamata-led official faction, having pre-empted the move, had announced its own slate of candidates on Sunday, September 13. They have tapped Sanchita Pradhan (Dey)—a fresh face intended to signify a shift in the party’s grassroots outreach—for Nandigram, and former MLA Rabiul Alam Chowdhury for the Rejinagar seat.

The result is a political paradox: two sets of candidates, both claiming to represent the Trinamool Congress, vying for the same seats under the scrutiny of an electorate left confused by the intra-party turmoil.

Chronology of a Collapse: From Hegemony to Schism

The current impasse is the culmination of a slow-burning crisis that began in the immediate aftermath of the 2026 Assembly election results.

• Post-Election Fallout (Mid-2026): Following the TMC’s electoral setback, internal dissent began to crystallize around the party’s leadership style and candidate selection processes. Ritabrata Banerjee emerged as the face of the disaffected members who argued for a radical overhaul of the party’s organizational structure.
• The Great Divide (August 2026): By late summer, the internal disagreements transitioned into public confrontation. Disputes over the party’s executive committee appointments and alleged unilateral decision-making by the top brass led to the formal split, with both factions seizing physical control of various party offices across the state.
• Legal Scramble (Early September 2026): Both camps approached the Election Commission of India (ECI), filing petitions to assert their exclusive right to the party’s name, its infrastructure, and the iconic ‘Jora Ghash Phool’ (twin flowers on grass) election symbol.
• The By-poll Announcement: The ECI’s notification for the by-elections to fill the vacancies in Nandigram and Rejinagar forced the hand of both factions, necessitating the nomination of candidates before the legal dispute regarding the party’s ownership could be resolved.

Supporting Data: The Stakes of the Split

The significance of the October 6 by-elections cannot be overstated. Since the 2026 state-wide defeat, the TMC has been struggling to maintain its narrative of dominance. The following factors highlight why these two seats are critical:

1. Organizational Control: The party that secures a higher vote share in these by-elections will likely leverage the data to bolster its claims before the ECI. A strong showing is not just about legislative seats; it is about proving which faction holds the loyalty of the party’s primary support base.
2. Asset Distribution: The ECI’s ultimate ruling on the party symbol and name will dictate which faction gains control of the party’s bank accounts, national headquarters, and legislative assets.
3. The Opposition’s Opportunity: With the TMC’s traditional vote bank effectively split, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stands to benefit from a "divided opposition" scenario. Political analysts suggest that in a three-way contest (or a four-way contest, if both TMC factions maintain their identities), the BJP could consolidate the anti-incumbency vote, potentially flipping seats that were historically TMC strongholds.

Official Responses and Tactical Manoeuvring

The discourse from both camps has been increasingly acrimonious.

A spokesperson for the Mamata Banerjee camp dismissed the rebel nominations as "an act of political opportunism," stating, "The people of West Bengal recognize the original leadership. These dissidents are merely creating a hurdle to facilitate the BJP’s entry into our constituencies. There is no confusion; the voters know who carries the legacy of the movement."

Conversely, the Ritabrata Banerjee faction has framed its rebellion as a "democratization of the party." In a statement issued on Monday, the faction remarked, "We are not splitting the party; we are reclaiming it. The leadership that led us to defeat in 2026 has lost the moral authority to steer the Trinamool Congress. By fielding our own candidates, we are offering the people a choice for a reformed, transparent, and grassroots-focused TMC."

The Election Commission has maintained a neutral stance, acknowledging the filings from both sides. However, the ECI has warned that until the dispute over the symbol is finalized, the two factions may be forced to campaign under different temporary designations, further muddying the electoral landscape.

Implications: A Shift in West Bengal’s Political Landscape

The implications of the Nandigram and Rejinagar by-polls extend far beyond the two districts.

1. The Death of the "Big Tent"

For years, the TMC thrived as a cohesive unit that absorbed various regional influences. The current conflict marks the end of this centralized authority. If the split persists, the party risks becoming a regional relic, similar to other splintered political entities that lost their national relevance after internal fractures.

2. The Identity Crisis

The battle for the ‘Jora Ghash Phool’ symbol is symbolic of a deeper crisis. If the ECI freezes the symbol, both factions will be forced to campaign with new identities, potentially leading to significant voter attrition. The "brand recognition" of the TMC is intrinsically tied to the twin-flower symbol; losing it would be a catastrophic blow to either side.

3. The BJP Factor

While the TMC factions are preoccupied with each other, the BJP is quietly strengthening its presence in rural West Bengal. By positioning themselves as the only stable alternative to the "infighting TMC," the BJP hopes to capture a significant percentage of the undecided or frustrated voters who feel abandoned by the current leadership struggle.

Conclusion: The October 6 Verdict

As the campaign season begins, the residents of Nandigram and Rejinagar find themselves in an unenviable position. They are not merely voting for a representative; they are casting a vote in a proxy war.

The outcome of the October 6 by-elections will serve as a bellwether for the future of West Bengal politics. A decisive victory for one faction would likely force the other to merge into a smaller regional entity or eventually dissolve. A narrow or split result, however, could lead to a protracted period of instability, further weakening the party’s position in the state legislature and encouraging further defections.

For now, the state watches closely as the two TMC camps hit the streets, each claiming the same flag, the same history, and the same future—while actively working to ensure the other’s political erasure. Whether the electorate sees them as two branches of a movement or as a fractured entity destined for decline remains to be seen. One thing is certain: after October 6, the political map of West Bengal will be irrevocably changed.