India, Sept. 18 -- Former West Bengal chief minister and TMC founder Mamata Banerjee said on Friday that her faction had decided not to contest the Nandigram bypolls and would support the Congress candidate in the October 6 elections.

The development marks a rare move, as the TMC and Congress have usually contested elections in West Bengal independently despite being part of the INDIA alliance at the national level.

She said her camp would not field another nominee from Nandigram after announcing support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.

Banerjee said the decision was a message of solidarity with the INDIA alliance as the Opposition looks to put up a united fight against the BJP.

The announcement came hours after Sanchita Pradhan ...