The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress on Sunday announced Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) and former MLA Rabiul Alam Chowdhury as its candidates for the October 6 Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar, respectively, setting the stage for two politically significant contests in West Bengal. While Pradhan is a new face being fielded from the politically charged Nandigram constituency in Purba Medinipur, the party has turned to the experienced Chowdhury for Rejinagar in Murshidabad district. The by-elections were necessitated after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari vacated the Nandigram seat and AJUP founder Humayun Kabir relinquished Rejinagar.
New face for Nandigram battle
The decision to field Pradhan puts a relatively new political face at the centre of a contest certain to attract statewide attention. Nandigram has remained one of West Bengal's most symbolically important constituencies because of its place in the political rise of the Trinamool Congress and the intense electoral battles fought there subsequently. The constituency was at the heart of the anti-land acquisition movement that helped propel Mamata Banerjee's challenge to the Left Front government and later became the venue for one of the state's most closely watched electoral contests. By selecting Pradhan, the TMC has opted against an established heavyweight and will instead seek to build the campaign around its organisation and wider political appeal. The bypoll will also be closely watched for what it reveals about the balance of political forces in Purba Medinipur.
Experienced hand for Rejinagar
In Rejinagar, the Trinamool Congress has chosen former MLA Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, bringing an experienced candidate into a constituency where local political equations are expected to play a decisive role. The seat became vacant after Humayun Kabir, founder of the AJUP, stepped down. Rejinagar lies in Murshidabad, a district where electoral contests have traditionally involved complex combinations of party loyalties, minority votes and influential local leaders. The TMC's decision to field a former legislator suggests it is relying on an established political network and familiarity with the constituency as it seeks to capture the seat in the by-election.
October 6 contests take shape
Polling in both constituencies is scheduled for October 6, giving political parties only weeks to mobilise their organisations and finalise campaign strategies. Nandigram is likely to command greater statewide attention because of its political history and the prominence attached to the constituency, while Rejinagar will be an important test of organisational strength in Murshidabad. The selection of Pradhan and Chowdhury also reflects contrasting TMC strategies — introducing a fresh candidate in Nandigram while relying on political experience in Rejinagar. With the ruling party's nominees now declared, attention will shift to the candidates fielded by its rivals and whether the two bypolls develop into direct battles or multi-cornered contests.