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Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction’s candidate for Rejinagar, has withdrawn from the October 6 West Bengal Assembly bypoll.
A file photo of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee (PTI)
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the candidate announced by the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll in West Bengal, has withdrawn his candidature, in another major development involving the faction ahead of the October 6 bypoll.
Chowdhury was named the faction’s candidate for Rejinagar on September 13, along with Sanchita Pradhan (Dey), who was fielded from Nandigram. The party had announced both candidates under the guidance and inspiration of its chairperson, Mamata Banerjee.
His withdrawal comes a day after Pradhan also withdrew her nomination from Nandigram.
Pradhan pulled out of the contest on Friday afternoon after meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the state secretariat, Nabanna.
She subsequently withdrew her nomination at the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Haldia.
The Nandigram development was followed by Mamata Banerjee announcing that her faction would not contest the seat and would instead support Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury Was Named TMC Candidate On September 13
At A Glance
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury has withdrawn as the Mamata Banerjee-led faction’s candidate for Rejinagar.
Chowdhury was announced as the Reginagar candidate on September 13 for the October 6 bypoll.
His withdrawal follows Sanchita Pradhan (Dey)’s exit from Nandigram, where Mamata Banerjee announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
The Mamata Banerjee-led faction had announced Chowdhury as its candidate for Rejinagar on September 13. Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) was also named as the candidate for Nandigram.
The two constituencies are scheduled to go to bypolls on October 6, with counting of votes set for October 9.
For Rejinagar, Congress has fielded Mohd. Abdullahil Kafi, while the CPI(M) has nominated advocate Sayeed Asad Ali. The CPI has fielded Shanti Gopal Giri from Nandigram.
The Rejinagar Assembly seat became vacant after the resignation of Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder Humayun Kabir, who had also secured victory from Nowda, according to news agency ANI.
The Nandigram bypoll was necessitated after Suvendu Adhikari gave up the seat and chose to retain Bhabanipur, where he had defeated Mamata Banerjee in the Assembly elections held earlier this year.
Nandigram Withdrawal Followed Meeting With Suvendu Adhikari
Pradhan’s withdrawal from Nandigram triggered a fresh political development, with Mamata announcing support for the Congress candidate from the constituency.
Speaking at a press conference at her Kalighat residence, Mamata said, “We will not contest in Nandigram. We will support our sister party, Congress. This will strengthen the INDIA bloc.”
She also said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had called her on Thursday night, after which she decided to support Milan Pradhan.
“We are all together; we will fight together. We will support all normal alliances. We will support our sister parties,” Mamata said.
At the time, Mamata had indicated that a decision on Rejinagar would be taken later. Chowdhury’s subsequent withdrawal now marks another change from the candidate list announced by her faction on September 13.
TMC Factions Given Separate Names And Symbols
The withdrawals come against the backdrop of the Election Commission of India’s decision concerning the two rival factions of the Trinamool Congress.
The Election Commission had initially frozen the name “All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Flowers & Grass” symbol.
The Commission later allotted new names and symbols to the two factions. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction was allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the symbol “Football Players”.
The rival faction led by expelled party legislator Ritabrata Banerjee was allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the symbol “Envelope”.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Rabiul Alam Chowdhury withdrew his candidature following a similar withdrawal by Nandigram candidate Sanchita Pradhan (Dey), leaving the Mamata Banerjee-led faction without candidates in both bypoll seats. The factions have been dealing with party name and symbol issues, making it difficult to campaign.
Ask News18About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
September 19, 2026, 11:55 IST
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