Why Mamata Banerjee Backed Congress Candidate in Nandigram Bypoll

Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday, September 18, announced her support for the Congress candidate in the Nandigram Assembly bypoll after her nominee withdrew from the contest. Banerjee said her camp would back the Congress in Nandigram and also in Assam "for the greater interest of the nation".

The announcement followed the withdrawal of nomination by Sanchita Pradhan (Dey), the candidate fielded by Banerjee’s faction of the Trinamool Congress. ECI Freezes TMC ‘Name’ and ‘Symbol’ for Both Factions Ahead of Nandigram, Rejinagar Assembly Bypolls.

We Are Extending Our Support to Congress in Nandigram and in Assam

Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "We are extending our support to Congress in Nandigram and in Assam. We are doing this for the greater interest of the nation." pic.twitter.com/qMKR0OOZKJ

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2026

Candidate Withdraws After Meeting Chief Minister

Sanchita Pradhan, a schoolteacher and local party worker, had been named by Banerjee’s group for the Nandigram seat earlier this month. On Friday, September 18, she met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the state secretariat in Nabanna. Hours later she withdrew her nomination, leaving Banerjee’s faction without a candidate in the constituency. The withdrawal came on the last day for candidates to pull out of the race. Polling is scheduled for October 6, with counting on October 9.

Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) Withdraws Her Nomination for the Nandigram Assembly Constituency By-Election

West Bengal | Mamata Banerjee-led faction candidate from Nandigram Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) has withdrawn her nomination for the Nandigram Assembly constituency by-election.

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2026

Banerjee Cites National Interest and Opposition Unity

Addressing the development, Banerjee said her side was extending support to the Congress candidate in Nandigram. She framed the decision as part of a broader effort to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party. "We are extending our support to Congress in Nandigram and in Assam. We are doing this for the greater interest of the nation,” she stated. Banerjee also referred to conversations with INDIA bloc leaders, including a call from Rahul Gandhi, and said the Opposition would fight together against the BJP. The Congress has fielded Milan Pradhan from Nandigram.

Background to the Bypoll

The Nandigram seat fell vacant after Adhikari, who won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, retained Bhabanipur and resigned from Nandigram. Adhikari had earlier defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in the 2021 Assembly polls. The Trinamool Congress has been divided into two factions since the party’s defeat in the 2026 state elections. Banerjee’s group and a rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee have both claimed the party name and symbol. Nandigram By-Election 2026: BJP Fields Suvendu Adhikari’s Slain Aide’s Mother Hasirani Rath (Video).

The Election Commission recently allotted new names and symbols to the two sides for the bypolls. Banerjee’s faction received the “football player” symbol under the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress. Other candidates in the fray include the BJP’s Hasirani Rath, mother of a slain aide of Adhikari, and nominees from the Left Front and the rival Trinamool faction. Banerjee’s decision not to field a replacement and instead back the Congress marks a rare instance of her faction stepping aside in a high-profile seat with long-standing personal and political significance for her.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2026 04:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).