In a turn of events on the final day for withdrawal of nominations, Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction’s candidate for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll, reversed his decision to withdraw from the contest and said he would remain in the electoral race.
Chowdhury had announced his withdrawal earlier on Saturday, citing difficulties faced by party workers and the challenge of campaigning with a new election symbol. The Election Commission has allotted the Mamata-led faction the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol for the upcoming bypolls.
Explaining his initial decision, Chowdhury said, “At this moment, the party lacks an official symbol. Party workers are being harassed in various ways, and most of them have left the area for work.” He added that the limited time available to familiarise voters with the new symbol had also made campaigning difficult.
However, after speaking with Mamata Banerjee, Chowdhury changed his position. “I am reversing my decision to withdraw my candidature at Mamata Banerjee's behest. I will contest the election. I reconsidered my decision after Mamata Banerjee spoke to me,” he said.
The development came a day after Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the Mamata-led faction’s candidate in the Nandigram bypoll, withdrew her nomination. Banerjee subsequently announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, who was later arrested in connection with an old case dating back to the 2007 Nandigram land agitation.
The developments in Rejinagar have taken place amid an ongoing dispute between rival factions of the Trinamool Congress over the party’s name and election symbol.
The Election Commission has temporarily frozen the original Trinamool Congress name and its traditional “Flowers and Grass” symbol for the bypoll process. The rival faction has been allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol. Mamata Banerjee has challenged the poll panel’s decision in the Supreme Court.
The Rejinagar bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with counting of votes set for October 9. Chowdhury’s reversal means the Mamata-led faction will continue to have a candidate in the constituency.
