Kolkata, 19 September (H.S.) : In a major and unexpected political turn of events ahead of the upcoming by-election in the Rejinagar Assembly constituency of West Bengal's Murshidabad district, Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the candidate from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress', has retracted his decision to withdraw his candidature. On Saturday afternoon, Chowdhury formally announced that he is not withdrawing his nomination and will contest the electoral battle on the party's newly allotted symbol.

Speaking to journalists regarding the sudden shift in his decision, Chowdhury said that while he had earlier contemplated stepping aside due to prevailing circumstances and the introduction of a new election symbol, he has now resolved to face the electorate with this very symbol. Expressing confidence, he noted that he is well-versed in contesting and winning elections, having done so multiple times in the past. He added that party workers have fully grasped the strategy, intensive campaigning commences from Saturday itself, and senior party leaders are scheduled to visit the constituency to campaign. Chowdhury clarified that he will proceed entirely in accordance with the directives issued by Mamata Banerjee.

The by-elections for both the Nandigram and Rejinagar seats are scheduled for October 6. Following the Election Commission's decision to freeze the party's traditional name and symbol, the Mamata Banerjee faction was allotted the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' alongside the 'Football Player' symbol under an interim arrangement. Similar circumstances appeared imminent in Rejinagar after the Mamata faction's candidate in Nandigram, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, withdrew her nomination on Friday. Through Friday night and Saturday morning, Chowdhury had maintained that popularizing a new symbol among voters in such a compressed timeframe would prove difficult, citing advice from party workers to pull out. However, by Saturday afternoon, he completely reversed his stance.

Reacting to the development, Sandipan Saha, an MLA representing the rival 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' faction, took a sharp swipe at the move, describing the ongoing developments as an incomprehensible political circus. Saha asserted that his party's nominee would contest the election with full strength on their allotted 'Envelope' symbol. Following Chowdhury's reversal, the Rejinagar by-election has transformed into a high-stakes, triangular contest.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh