TMC rebel faction names Muslim candidates for Bengal by-polls

A dissident faction of the Trinamool Congress led by Ritabrata Banerjee has announced candidates for two West Bengal assembly by-polls. The rebel group has fielded Mohammad Ateeshamul Haq from Nandigraam and Safiul Uddin Sheikh from Rejinagar, both Muslim candidates.

Mamata Banerjee's TMC has already nominated Sanchita Pradhan for Nandigraam and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury for Rejinagar. Earlier, Banerjee had promised not to field a rival candidate if Mamata contested Nandigraam herself, but reversed course after she declined to run.

The Congress has also declared its slate: Mohammad Abdullahil Kaffi from Rejinagar and Milan Pradhan from Nandigraam. The by-polls were triggered after BJP's Suvendu Adhikari vacated Nandigraam, while AJSU's candidate left the Rejinagar seat vacant.