Story perspectives

Ritabrata TMC Rebels Offer Nandigram Pact With Mamata Banerjee

By Drooid · Sep 13, 2026, 4:09 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Rebel TMC faction led by Ritabrata offered to forgo contesting Nandigram if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee runs.
Both Banerjee’s and Ritabrata’s TMC factions will field candidates in Nandigram and Rejinagar on October 6, 2026.
Over 65 of the 80 TMC MLAs elected in May 2026 have become rebels.
The rebels are pressing the Election Commission for the “grass and twin-flowers” symbol.

History

Historical Context

In June 1999, Sharad Pawar, P. A. Sangma and Tariq Anwar were expelled from the Indian National Congress and launched the Nationalist Congress Party on 10 June 1999, prompting an Election Commission fight over its symbol. That split created a template for schisms, reflected now as Trinamool Congress MLAs press for a new emblem, underscoring symbol disputes in Indian politics.

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Story summary

Rebel TMC faction led by Ritabrata offered to forgo contesting Nandigram if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee runs.
Both Banerjee’s and Ritabrata’s TMC factions will field candidates in Nandigram and Rejinagar on October 6, 2026.
Over 65 of the 80 TMC MLAs elected in May 2026 have become rebels.
The rebels are pressing the Election Commission for the “grass and twin-flowers” symbol.

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