Rabiul Alam Chowdhury initially announced his withdrawal from the Rejinagar bypoll, citing pressure on party workers and uncertainty over the faction’s election symbol.
The Rejinagar bypoll witnessed another twist on Saturday as Mamata Banerjee’s faction candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury reversed his decision to withdraw from the contest, according to reports.
Chowdhury had earlier announced that he would step out of the race, citing difficulties faced by party workers and the uncertainty surrounding the faction’s new election identity. Reports said he also pointed to the challenge of campaigning without the Trinamool Congress’ traditional symbol.
Later, Chowdhury said he had reconsidered his decision after discussions with senior leaders of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction.
Rejinagar Bypoll Drama
The development comes a day after Sanchita Pradhan Dey, Mamata Banerjee’s candidate in Nandigram, withdrew her nomination. Banerjee subsequently announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, who police arrested later that day in connection with a 2007 murder case.
The Election Commission has also changed the electoral identities of the rival Trinamool factions ahead of the bypolls. The Mamata-led faction received the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the Football Player symbol, while the rival faction received the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the Envelope symbol.
When Are the West Bengal Bypolls?
Voters in Nandigram and Rejinagar will vote on October 6, 2026. The contests come amid an ongoing dispute over the Trinamool Congress’ name and election symbol. Mamata Banerjee has challenged the Election Commission’s decision in the Supreme Court.
5 Key Takeaways
- Rabiul Alam Chowdhury is at the centre of the latest Rejinagar bypoll controversy.
- He initially announced his withdrawal before reportedly reconsidering the decision.
- Sanchita Pradhan Dey has withdrawn from the Nandigram contest.
- Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested in connection with a 2007 case after receiving Mamata Banerjee’s support.
- Nandigram and Rejinagar will vote on October 6, with the TMC name-and-symbol dispute continuing in the Supreme Court.
