Kolkata/Hyderabad, Sept 19 (Maxim News): A dramatic turn of events unfolded in West Bengal’s Rejinagar Assembly bypoll on Saturday after Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the candidate backed by the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress, announced his withdrawal from the contest and later reversed the decision.
Chowdhury initially cited difficulties in campaigning under the new party name and symbol allotted by the Election Commission of India (ECI). He also alleged that party workers were facing pressure and that some activists had been arrested. Reports said he took the decision after consultations with Mamata Banerjee.
The development came a day after Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the Mamata faction’s candidate in the Nandigram bypoll, withdrew her nomination. Mamata Banerjee subsequently announced support for the Congress candidate in Nandigram.
Rejinagar Candidate Reverses Withdrawal After Party Intervention
The initial withdrawal would have left the Mamata faction without candidates in both Nandigram and Rejinagar. However, Chowdhury later announced that he would contest the Rejinagar election after discussions with Mamata Banerjee and other party leaders. He also received assurances regarding security, according to reports.
The controversy follows the ECI’s interim decision to freeze the original All India Trinamool Congress name and its traditional Flowers and Grass symbol amid a dispute between rival factions.
The poll panel subsequently allotted the Mamata faction the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol. The rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee was allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol.
Chowdhury had said the short campaign period made it difficult for workers to familiarise voters with the new party identity and symbol.
The Rejinagar bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with counting set for October 9. The election was necessitated after AJUP leader Humayun Kabir, who won from both Rejinagar and Naoda in the Assembly elections, chose to retain the Naoda seat. His son Golam Nabi Azad is the AJUP candidate in Rejinagar.
The latest developments have added another twist to the ongoing factional dispute within the Trinamool Congress ahead of the two Bengal bypolls.
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