Trinamool Gears Up Early for 2026 Battle of Prestige in Nandigram

Nandigram, Sept 2025 : In the high-stakes 2021 assembly election, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced an unexpected setback when she lost the Nandigram seat to her former aide and BJP leader Shuvendu Adhikari by a narrow margin of just 1,956 votes. Although the Trinamool Congress (TMC) returned to power in the state with a sweeping majority, that single defeat dealt a symbolic blow. Nearly five years later, as the 2026 assembly elections approach, Trinamool is determined not to allow history to repeat itself in Nandigram.

This time, the party is moving early. A dedicated group, popularly known as “Team AB”—the team led by TMC’s All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee—has already begun groundwork in Nandigram, well ahead of the polls. Working in tandem with the advisory firm I-PAC, the same political consultancy that strategized for Trinamool in 2021, Abhishek’s team is holding quiet but extensive surveys and consultations in the constituency.

The 2021 shock and its aftermath

Mamata Banerjee’s defeat in Nandigram had created ripples across the political spectrum. The ruling party alleged irregularities during vote counting and even filed a case in the Calcutta High Court. That case, however, remains pending. Despite the setback, the party went on to form the government for the third consecutive term.

Yet, the symbolic loss of Nandigram continues to haunt the party. TMC insiders openly call the seat a “battle of prestige” for the 2026 polls. The leadership is determined to reclaim the stronghold from the BJP and is leaving no stone unturned in preparation.

Abhishek’s strategy and “Team AB”

Recently, Abhishek Banerjee chaired a meeting with Trinamool’s Tamluk organisational district leaders in Kolkata. While he did not publicly reveal the detailed strategy, insiders claim that the blueprint is now being rolled out on the ground in Nandigram.

Party sources say that “Team AB” members, along with I-PAC, have divided themselves into groups and are meeting grassroots workers, local leaders, and common people. Their primary goal is to identify reasons why Trinamool underperformed in Nandigram despite its statewide dominance.

A district Trinamool leader explained, “First, I-PAC conducts surveys and gathers information in each area. Then ‘Team AB’ revisits those areas to cross-check the data. If they find complaints about development work, the state government is informed immediately for quick action.”

This double-layered approach, combining professional consultancy with party-led verification, reflects Trinamool’s determination to avoid past mistakes.

Why I-PAC and “Team AB” together?

Prashant Kishor’s I-PAC played a key role in Trinamool’s resounding 2021 victory statewide, but questions were raised about its inability to secure Nandigram for Mamata. This time, TMC wants additional oversight. By deploying Abhishek’s representatives alongside I-PAC, the leadership hopes to address both electoral and organisational gaps.

According to a senior party functionary, “Abhishek’s team has been camping in Nandigram for the last ten days. They are talking to everyone, from booth-level workers to villagers, documenting grievances and shortcomings. The effort is to ensure that no local issue goes unnoticed.”

Local leadership speaks

Sujit Kumar Roy, TMC’s Tamluk organisational district president, confirmed that activities are progressing smoothly. “The party’s programme in Nandigram is going well. Both district and state leaderships are continuously active. We are working in our own way to strengthen the organisation,” he said.

The road to 2026

With the assembly elections still a year away, Trinamool has begun its campaign in Nandigram much earlier than usual. The party views the seat not only as a political prize but also as a symbolic redemption for Mamata Banerjee. By combining data-driven consultancy with Abhishek Banerjee’s hands-on oversight, Trinamool hopes to mount a formidable challenge to the BJP’s hold on Nandigram.

As the groundwork intensifies, it is clear that the 2026 contest in Nandigram will once again be one of West Bengal’s most closely watched electoral battles—a fight where prestige, symbolism, and political dominance all converge.