Nandigram Bypolls 2026: In a major setback for Mamata Banerjee ahead of the crucial Nandigram bypolls, her candidate Sanchita Dey Pradhan withdrew her nomination on Friday. The twist in the bypolls emerged hours after the Nandigram bypolls candidate of the Mamata camp met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, news agency PTI reported, quoting sources.

A photograph purportedly showing Adhikari and Pradhan together went viral on social media, the authenticity of which could not be confirmed by The Daily Jagran. The meeting assumes significance as Saturday is the last date for withdrawal of nominations for the bypolls.

Mamata Hits Back At BJP

Reacting to the Pradhan's move, Banerjee said what has happened today is unconstitutional and illegal. The BJP first broke Uddhav Thackeray's party, then the NCP in Maharashtra and now the TMC, she added.

"We don't disrespect the constitution. We don't disrespect the constitutional chair. But we feel today is a black day in our democratic history. What is happening in our country is very unfortunate, unconstitutional, illegal, undemocratic and a totally politically biased vendetta to satisfy the ego of a political party. Who are these people? Unhone bola tha, Naam bhi nahi rakhne dunga, nishaan bhi nahi rakhne dunga (They had claimed to snatch the name and symbol of the party)..." 

Mamata Announces To Support Congress In Bypolls

After the withdrawal of her candidate, Banerjee announced that her camp would now support Congress in the Nandigram bypoll to strengthen the INDIA bloc.

"Neither going to bow our heads, nor will we surrender; we will fight and bounce back, she asserted.

" How can the EC freeze my party's symbol that has been with us for 28 years. BJP first broke Uddhav Thackeray's party, then NCP in Maharashtra. BJP trying to destroy opposition parties: Mamata after her camp's Nandigram nominee withdraws candidature," she added.

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Earlier, accompanied by former state minister Akhil Giri, Pradhan had filed her nomination from Nandigram as the candidate of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction.

ALSO READ: EC Freezes 'Twin Flower' Symbol Amid TMC Rift; Asks Mamata, Ritabrata To Pick New Names And Symbols For Bypolls

The development came amid a dramatic reshaping of the electoral contest following the EC's interim order freezing the use of the All India Trinamool Congress name and its traditional twin-flowers-on-grass symbol by both rival factions.
(With PTI inputs)