Politics
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Mamata backs Congress in Nandigram after EC freeze
Hindustan Times··19 Sept
After the Election Commission gave rival TMC factions interim names and symbols, Mamata Banerjee said she would back Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in Nandigram. Her nominee Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew on Friday. Police later arrested Pradhan in a 2007 murder case. The bypoll is on October 6. Adhikari won the seat in 2026 by 9,665 votes before vacating it.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls are the first major electoral test after Banerjee lost power this summer.
- Banerjee's faction contests as Mamata All India Trinamool Congress with a football player symbol.
- The Arup Roy faction contests as Democratic Trinamool Congress with an envelope symbol.
What's Happening
- Dey met Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday evening before withdrawing on Friday.
- Banerjee said Rahul Gandhi called after the EC freeze and called Congress a sister party.
- Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the party had not asked for her support.
Why Nandigram Matters Now
- Adhikari retained Nandigram in 2026 by 9,665 votes before vacating it for Bhabanipur.
- At least six murder cases from 2007 appear in Pradhan's election affidavit, the report said.
- September 18 was the last day to withdraw nominations for the bypolls.
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