The Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress on Saturday lost its candidate in the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll, with Rabiul Alam Chowdhury announcing his decision to withdraw his nomination, a day after the faction’s Nandigram nominee also exited the contest.
Chowdhury said the decision was primarily linked to the Election Commission’s recent decision to bar both rival TMC factions from using the party’s original name and the “Flowers and Grass” symbol. The Mamata-led faction was instead allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol for the October 6 bypolls.
Speaking to reporters, Chowdhury said, “The new election symbol will be difficult to make familiar to voters in such a short time.” He also cited difficulties faced by party workers, saying, “The workers are not able to come to the field. The symbol is a big factor.”
Chowdhury said he had discussed the situation with party workers before deciding to withdraw. According to reports, he also informed Mamata Banerjee of his decision. He said the party leadership had told him to do what he considered appropriate.
The development came a day after Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the Mamata-led faction’s candidate in Nandigram, withdrew her nomination. Following her withdrawal, Banerjee announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in the constituency. Pradhan was subsequently arrested in connection with pending cases dating back to the 2007 Nandigram land-acquisition movement. Opposition parties have raised questions over the timing of the arrest, allegations that have not been independently established.
The withdrawals come amid an ongoing dispute within the Trinamool Congress. The Election Commission has temporarily barred both rival factions from using the original party name and its traditional symbol while it considers their competing claims over control of the organisation. The rival faction led by Arup Roy has been allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol.
The Rejinagar and Nandigram bypolls are scheduled for October 6, with counting set for October 9. Saturday was the final day for candidates to withdraw their nominations.
