- Rabiul Alam Chowdhury on Saturday withdrew his candidature
- Chowdhury stated that his supporters were threatened
- Sanchita Pradhan Dey announced her withdrawal on Friday
Bengal Politics: In an another setback for Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress candidate for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll Rabiul Alam Chowdhury on Saturday withdrew his candidature. Chowdhury stated that he decided to not contest the polls after Banerjee failed to secure the Trinamool Congress party symbol- the 'Twin Flowers'.
Consulted Mamata Banerjee: Chowdhury
While talking to the media, Chowdhury stated that his supporters were threatened and arrested, adding that the decision was taken after consulting Mamata Banerjee. "Firstly, we have to fight on a new symbol. Our workers are being hounded, threatened and arrested. We are unable to give them protection. How can we contest like this?" Chowdhury was quoted as saying by India Today.
"That's why I've decided to withdraw. I have spoken to Mamata Banerjee, and she has told me to do what is best," he added.
ALSO READ: Mamata Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Against EC's Freeze On Trinamool Congress Name And Symbol
Series Of Setbacks For Banerjee
The development came a day after Sanchita Pradhan Dey, TMC's candidate from the high-profile Nandigram constituency announced her withdrawal after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The drama continued till the late hours of Friday as Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested by the West Bengal police in an old crime case after Banerjee extended her support to the grand old party.
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, Trinamool Congress candidate for the Rejinagar Assembly by-election, has announced his decision to withdraw his candidature. He cited the primary reason as the failure to secure the Trinamool Congress party symbol—the 'Twin Flowers'.
— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2026
Earlier on Friday, Banerjee moved the Supreme Court against the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to temporarily freeze the party's name and election symbol. The poll body, upon hearing arguments from both the Banerjee and Ritabrata factions, allotted separate names and symbols to them ahead of the bypolls.
Mamata Challenges EC's Decision
However, Mamata, in a press conference, criticized the poll body's decision by alleging that it was an attempt to weaken the opposition in Bengal. "They do not know that I cannot leave All India Trinamool Congress. It will always be with me until I leave this world. Absolutely dirty game, but we are also ready to fight it out," she said.