There was speculation that the TMC supremo, who has faced a massive rebellion within her party following its stunning defeat in the Assembly polls, may contest the Nandigram bypoll to seek a return to the House. For the first time in 15 years, Mamata Banerjee will not be seen in the West Bengal Assembly.
But on Sunday, the ‘Kalighat Trinamool’ (Mamata faction) announced Sanchita Pradhan Dey as its candidate for Nandigram. But with the Trinamool Congress announcing Sanchita Pradhan Dey as its Nandigram candidate, that speculation has now been put to rest. Its bypoll candidate, Sanchita Dey, is a voter at the same polling booth as Kar.
In 2026, the Trinamool Congress had fielded Pabitro Kar against Suvendu Adhikari from Nandigram after Kar switched over from the BJP. She served as a member of the Panchayat Samiti from 2018 to 2023. Sanchita has been associated with the Trinamool Congress since 2008.
“All India Trinamool Congress, under the guidance and inspiration of our Hon’ble Chairperson Smt Mamata Banerjee, is pleased to announce the candidates for the upcoming Nandigram and Rejinagar by-elections,” the AITC said in a post on X.
By-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar are scheduled for the first week of October. Former Bengal minister Akhil Giri’s recent visit to Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence had also triggered speculation about his name as a possible front-runner for the Nandigram ticket. This will mark the second round of the electoral battle between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress since the 2026 Assembly election.
