West Bengal bypolls: Candidates announced for Nandigram and Rejinagar

The Election Commission of India has scheduled by-elections for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies in West Bengal for October 6, with vote counting set for October 9.

Political parties have begun announcing their candidates. The Indian National Congress has named Milan Pradhan for Nandigram and Mohd Abdullahil Kafi for Rejinagar. The CPI(M) and CPI have fielded Shanti Gopal Giri for Nandigram and Sayeed Asad Ali for Rejinagar.

The Nandigram seat became vacant after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari vacated it to retain his Bhabanipur seat. The Rejinagar seat fell vacant following the resignation of Humayun Kabir.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) camp led by Mamata Banerjee has decided to contest using the traditional ‘jora phool’ symbol, despite an ongoing legal dispute with a rebel faction over the party's name and official emblem.