Kolkata: Hours after saying he was quitting, Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the Mamata Banerjee faction’s Rejinagar candidate, changed his mind on Saturday and announced he would remain in the contest, adding a fresh twist to the West Bengal by-poll drama.
Earlier in the day, Chowdhury had announced he was stepping away from the contest, citing the Election Commission’s freeze on the Trinamool Congress’ name and its traditional “twin-flowers-on-grass” symbol, as well as alleged pressure on party workers in the constituency.
By afternoon, though, he reversed his decision to quit after holding talks with senior leaders of the Banerjee faction, now contesting as the “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress.”
“I am reversing my decision to withdraw my candidature at Mamata Banerjee’s behest,” he said.
He added that he would contest the election since he reconsidered his decision after Mamata Banerjee spoke to him, as reported by ABP Live.
New Party Tag, Old Symbol Worries
The Election Commission barred both rival TMC groups from using the original party name and symbol pending a final determination. On Friday, it assigned fresh identities for the October 6 bypolls: the Banerjee camp received the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” with a “Football Player” symbol, while the rival Arup Roy-led group was named “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and given an “Envelope” symbol.
Banerjee’s faction has moved the Supreme Court against the EC’s interim order, arguing that losing the established identity will confuse voters.
Nandigram Twist Adds To Churn
The Rejinagar reversal unfolded as Nandigram also saw major changes: Banerjee’s first candidate, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, withdrew on Friday after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Her side then supported Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, who was arrested hours later in a 2007 murder case connected to the Nandigram land agitation.
Both Nandigram and Rejinagar will vote on October 6, and the results will be counted on October 9.
