The Rejinagar reversal came a day after Mamata Banerjee’s faction withdrew its candidate in Nandigram and backed Congress nominee Milan Pradhan, who was subsequently arrested in an old murder case.
BY PC Bureau
September 19: West Bengal’s October 6 by-elections descended into fresh uncertainty on Saturday after Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the candidate backed by Mamata Banerjee’s faction in Rejinagar, announced his withdrawal from the contest in the morning — only to reverse the decision hours later.
Chowdhury initially said he was stepping aside, citing difficulties over the absence of the familiar party symbol, alleged pressure on workers and the fact that several local supporters had left the area for employment. He questioned how he could fight an election when, according to him, his organisational support on the ground had weakened.
#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
The decision was subsequently reversed following discussions with senior leaders. Chowdhury said Banerjee personally intervened and asked him to continue the electoral battle, prompting him to withdraw his decision to withdraw.
The extraordinary reversal came a day after another candidate from Banerjee’s faction pulled out of the Nandigram contest, setting off a chain of developments that has further complicated the two bypolls.
In Nandigram, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the candidate backed by Banerjee’s faction, withdrew from the race on Friday after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Banerjee subsequently announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan. Within hours, however, Pradhan was arrested by West Bengal Police in connection with an old murder case dating back to the 2007 anti-land acquisition agitation. Police said a warrant was pending against him.
The timing of the arrest triggered a political dispute. Banerjee and Congress leaders questioned the timing, while allegations of political motivation were made by opposition leaders. Those allegations remain contested.
The developments have unfolded against the backdrop of an extraordinary dispute over the Trinamool Congress identity itself.
The Election Commission has temporarily frozen the original party name and election symbol amid rival claims between the two factions. Banerjee’s faction has been allotted the interim name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the “Football Player” symbol, while the rival faction has been allotted Democratic Trinamool Congress and the “Envelope” symbol. Banerjee has challenged the Election Commission’s decision in the Supreme Court.
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The symbol dispute has added an unusual complication to the bypoll campaign, with candidates having to contest under identities different from the familiar Trinamool Congress name and symbol.
The Rejinagar episode has now introduced another layer of uncertainty. Chowdhury’s brief withdrawal, followed by his return to the contest after consultations with the party leadership, means the candidate remains in the field for the October 6 poll.
The two constituencies are therefore heading towards polling amid a rapidly changing political landscape — marked by factional rivalry, candidate withdrawals, an unexpected alliance decision, an arrest and an unresolved battle over the Trinamool Congress name and symbol.
For now, both Rejinagar and Nandigram are scheduled to vote on October 6.
