Rejinagar bypoll sees candidate U-turn after Nandigram withdrawal amid TMC faction dispute

The political drama surrounding the upcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections took another twist on Saturday, with Mamata Banerjee-led faction’s Rejinagar candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury saying he will not withdraw from the contest.Chowdhury had earlier announced his decision to withdraw his nomination, citing pressure on party workers and difficulties in campaigning with the new election symbol allotted to Mamata Banerjee’s faction. However, he has now reversed his decision and said he will remain in the electoral fray.Chowdhury Cites Pressure On Party WorkersExplaining his earlier decision, Chowdhury had said the faction was facing difficulties after being allotted a new symbol ahead of the October 6 bypoll.“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. With whom am I supposed to contest the election?” he had told mediapersons.#Breaking| Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the TMC nominee for the Rejinagar by-elections fielded by Mamata Banerjee, has done a U-turn on his nomination withdrawal. He had earlier declared his intent to withdraw but has now decided to contest after being persuaded by Mamata Banerjee. https://t.co/8ShlJ90y67 pic.twitter.com/GKAqlHSr0U— Piyali Mitra (@Plchakraborty) September 19, 2026 He further alleged that pressure was being exerted on party workers and said many of them were unwilling to remain in the electoral contest.“Given the pressure being exerted by the administration, the workers say they cannot remain in the electoral fray. That is precisely why I have decided to withdraw my nomination,” Chowdhury had said.His subsequent decision to remain in the contest has now added another twist to the bypoll drama. Reports said the Mamata faction had been struggling to familiarise voters with its newly allotted symbol after the Election Commission barred the rival TMC factions from using the original party name and symbol.Nandigram Candidate Also WithdrewChowdhury’s announcement came a day after Mamata Banerjee’s faction lost its candidate in the high-profile Nandigram bypoll. Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew her nomination on Friday after meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.The development left Mamata’s faction without a candidate in Nandigram. Banerjee subsequently announced support for Congress nominee Milan Pradhan, saying the move was aimed at strengthening the INDIA bloc.West Bengal Bypolls: Mamata Faction Candidate Withdraws Nandigram Nomination After TMC Split Order However, the political equation changed again within hours. Milan Pradhan was arrested by West Bengal Police in connection with an old case linked to the 2007 Nandigram land agitation. The arrest came shortly after Banerjee announced her faction’s support for him. Congress and the Mamata faction questioned the timing, while the BJP said the police action was in accordance with the law.Bypolls On October 6The Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies are scheduled to vote on October 6, with counting set for October 9.With Sanchita Pradhan Dey’s withdrawal from Nandigram and the uncertainty surrounding Chowdhury’s candidature in Rejinagar, the two bypolls have emerged as key flashpoints amid the ongoing factional dispute within the Trinamool Congress.

On Friday, the Banerjee-led Trinamool group’s Nandigram candidate withdrew from the elections after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Rabiul Alam Chowdhury's announcement came a day after Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the faction's candidate in Nandigram, withdrew her nomination. She had met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari with her husband on Thursday, but did not publicly explain her decision to quit. After Dey's withdrawal, Mamata's faction backed Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in Nandigram.