Politics · India Bureau
TMC's Rejinagar candidate withdraws, reverses decision same day
In a dramatic reversal, the Trinamool Congress candidate for the Rejinagar by-election withdrew from the race, then retracted his decision within hours, pledging to contest as directed by party supremo Mamata Banerjee.
LSN India ·
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, a former TMC legislator, announced his withdrawal from the October 6 by-election in his Murshidabad constituency on Saturday morning, citing difficulties in motivating grassroots workers and the challenge of familiarising voters with the party's new 'footballer' symbol within a compressed campaign timeframe. "It is becoming difficult for me to motivate grassroots workers who have been facing regular harassment," Chowdhury told reporters at his residence. "Also, it is an onerous task to familiarise the electorate with the new symbol in such a short time."
However, the candidate reversed course dramatically just hours later, convening another press conference to affirm his commitment to contest the by-election. Chowdhury stated he would fight the poll as per Banerjee's wishes, effectively retracting his morning statement and remaining in the race.
The development marks the second withdrawal within as many days from TMC's by-election slate. On Friday, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the party's nominee for the Nandigram by-election, withdrew her candidature following a meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The succession of withdrawal announcements have intensified speculation around the TMC's electoral preparations and internal dynamics ahead of the concurrent by-polls.