Trinamool Congress on the Backfoot in Nandigram and Rejinagar Ahead of Bengal By-Elections as Suvendu Adhikari Mounts Pressure on Mamata Banerjee Trinamool Congress faces an unexpected setback ahead of Bengal by-elections as its nominees in both Nandigram and Rejinagar decide to withdraw from the race. Political equations across West Bengal are shifting swiftly as crucial by-elections draw closer, throwing the ruling Trinamool Congress into deep disarray. Within barely twenty-four hours of its official contestant pulling out of the high-stakes Nandigram assembly seat, the party suffered another major blow in Rejinagar. The announcement by Rejinagar candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury that he intends to withdraw his nomination has rattled the party hierarchy and disrupted its campaign blueprints. Across political circles, this rapid sequence of events is being analyzed as the second major chapter of the ongoing rivalry between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, with the momentum tilting decisively in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party leader for now. Facing unexpected turbulence on the ground, the Trinamool leadership is currently working on an alternative strategy to regain lost footing. Surprise Withdrawals Ahead of the October By-Elections Voting across both the Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies is scheduled to take place on October 6, with official election results slated for announcement on October 9. Having official party nominees abandon their campaigns with nearly a month still remaining before polling day has triggered intense debate across the state. The crisis erupted on Friday when Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the officially declared Trinamool Congress nominee for Nandigram, abruptly stepped back from the electoral fray. What made her decision particularly startling was that merely hours prior to stepping down, she had visited the state secretariat Nabanna, where she met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while also crossing paths with local Bharatiya Janata Party legislator and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. Her sudden withdrawal immediately following those high-level discussions has sparked widespread political speculation. Rejinagar Setback Hands Advantage to Bharatiya Janata Party Before the ruling party could even formulate a damage-control plan for Nandigram, trouble flared up in Rejinagar as well. Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the designated Trinamool candidate for the seat, made public his decision to walk away from the contest. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded Shakharav Sarkar from Rejinagar, who now finds himself in an extraordinarily advantageous position akin to a virtual walkover. Losing candidates in two consecutive constituencies right at the onset of campaigning has dealt a severe blow to the ruling party's administrative machinery and campaign morale in the region. The Legacy of the 2021 Nandigram Rivalry The intense confrontation between these two political figures traces back to the historic 2021 assembly elections in West Bengal. During that fierce contest, Suvendu Adhikari achieved a landmark victory by defeating Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on her chosen battlefield of Nandigram. That watershed moment cemented his status as the primary political challenger to the ruling establishment in the state. Now, amid these 2026 by-elections, the sudden surrender of key Trinamool candidates is reshaping the regional political balance in three distinct ways. Internal Dissension and Shaken Party Morale Political observers point out that having contestants retreat well before polling opens signals a notable decline in confidence among grassroots party workers. The development simultaneously demonstrates that Suvendu Adhikari continues to command extensive influence across his home turf in southern Bengal. Insiders within the ruling party indicate that severe factional strife, discontent among local leaders, and rebellious undercurrents made the nominees increasingly hesitant to continue their campaigns. Conversely, this unexpected strategic advantage has generated immense enthusiasm among Bharatiya Janata Party cadres gearing up for subsequent political battles. A Test of Authority for the Ruling Establishment Reclaiming full control over what were once dependable political strongholds has become an urgent priority for Mamata Banerjee. Suvendu Adhikari has demonstrated that beyond defending his personal legislative constituency, he possesses the strategic acumen to outmaneuver the ruling camp on key battlegrounds. With polling scheduled for October 6, the departure of Trinamool candidates clearly indicates that the opposition leader's political maneuvers have breached the ruling party's fortifications. Although the final counting will be finalized on October 9, political analysts believe that in this opening phase of their renewed clash, Suvendu Adhikari has secured a decisive psychological advantage. What this means for you The sudden withdrawal of candidates in two crucial Bengal assembly segments directly alters voter choices, grassroots campaign momentum, and regional political balances. • Across India: Political observers evaluating state-level party cohesion view this crisis as a reflection of growing vulnerabilities within prominent regional outfits. It underscores how unexpected candidate withdrawals can alter national perceptions of organizational discipline ahead of broader electoral contests. • In West Bengal: Voters in Nandigram and Rejinagar face a severely narrowed field of contenders well before heading to polling booths on October 6. Local residents may witness an altered balance of power that directly influences representation, regional grievance redressal, and governance priorities. • For Party Workers: Grassroots political workers who invested weeks in door-to-door campaigning now face confusion and an abrupt halt to planned outreach efforts. Cadres must navigate shifting local alliances and wait for revised operational directives from their respective leaderships. • On Future Electoral Strategy: The unfolding development forces major political parties to implement far more stringent screening procedures before handing out nomination tickets in subsequent elections. Candidates' long-term loyalty and local consensus will likely take precedence over rushed party selections. Why this happened The abrupt withdrawal of Trinamool Congress candidates stems from intense internal factionalism, unresolved grievances among local cadres, and heavy tactical pressure from opposition leaders. • Internal Factionalism and Dissent: Severe discord and resistance from dissident party factions erupted immediately following the announcement of tickets. The lack of unified ground support and vocal opposition from local party circles made it extremely difficult for the nominated contenders to mount an effective campaign. • Aggressive Opposition Counter-Strategy: Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari capitalized on his established organizational network across southern Bengal to apply continuous strategic pressure. This sustained tactical push eroded the ruling party nominees' confidence early in the campaign cycle. • High-Level Consultations at Nabanna: The sequence of events accelerated right after the Nandigram nominee visited the state secretariat and held discussions involving the Chief Minister as well as the Leader of Opposition. The political understandings or pressures emerging from those critical meetings directly triggered the wave of withdrawals. Questions & Answers 1. Which assembly constituencies in West Bengal are holding by-elections? By-elections are being conducted in the Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly constituencies of West Bengal. 2. What are the scheduled dates for voting and results? Voting will take place on October 6, followed by the declaration of results on October 9. 3. Who was the Trinamool Congress nominee who withdrew from Nandigram? Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the official Trinamool Congress candidate, withdrew her nomination from Nandigram. 4. Which candidate announced withdrawal from the Rejinagar seat? Rabiul Alam Chowdhury announced his decision to step down as the Trinamool Congress candidate from Rejinagar. 5. Who is the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for the Rejinagar constituency? The Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded Shakharav Sarkar as its contestant for the Rejinagar assembly seat. 6. What was the outcome of the 2021 election in Nandigram? In the 2021 assembly elections, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram. https://trendkia.com/en/west-bengal/west-bengal-upachunava-se-pahale-nandigram-aura-rejinagar-men-tmc-baikaphuta-para-suvendu-adhikari-ki-gherabndi-ne-barhai-mamata-b-33644 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.