Bengal Politics: In a sharp U-turn, Trinamool Congress candidate for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll Rabiul Alam Chowdhury has announced that he will contest the polls hours after announcing his withdrawal. While talking to the reporters, Chowdhury stated that he reversed his decision after talking to party chief Mamata Banerjee. Earlier, he withdrew his candidature by citing alleged threats to his supporters.
"I am reversing my decision to withdraw my candidature at Mamata Banerjee's behest. I will contest the election. I reconsidered my decision after Mamata Banerjee spoke to me," he said.
Earlier 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.
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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.
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.