West Bengal bypolls: Nandigram and Rejinagar key candidates, past trends and more
West Bengal’s October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar will see BJP take on Congress in Nandigram and TMC in Rejinagar in an intense poll contest
The Indian state of West Bengal is preparing for crucial byelections on October 6, 2026, in the constituencies of Nandigram and Rejinagar. Nandigram will see 16 candidates contesting for the seat, while the Rejinagar constituency will have 21 candidates vying for it. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the 2026 Assembly elections, securing 208 of the 294 seats, marking its first time ruling West Bengal.
The opposition Trinamool Congress (TMC) came in second place, winning 80 seats. The TMC will be re-entering the electoral race with new symbols for its two factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee. Mamata Banerjee's faction is symbolized as a football player, while Ritabrata Banerjee's group uses an envelope symbol.
Hasirani Rath, the BJP's candidate for Nandigram, is a personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari, the state's Chief Minister, whose son Chandranath Rath was killed in post-poll violence. The TMC has chosen Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, a prominent regional leader, to contest in Rejinagar. Chowdhury has won the constituency in 2011 and 2016. The TMC will face a tough challenge from Hasirani Rath, who is seeking to retain the Nandigram seat for the second consecutive term.
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