Rejinagar bypoll: Mamata Banerjee faction candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury withdraws nomination

Mamata Banerjee's faction has lost its candidate in a second West Bengal Assembly bypoll in as many days, with Rabiul Alam Chowdhury withdrawing his nomination from Rejinagar on Saturday.

The development came a day after Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the faction's nominee in Nandigram, pulled out of the October 6 bypoll. Chowdhury cited difficulties faced by party workers and the absence of the Trinamool Congress' (TMC) original name and symbol as reasons for his decision.

Rejinagar candidate cites pressure on workers

Chowdhury said he could not continue with the campaign when party workers were unable to stay in the constituency.

"At this moment, the party lacks an official symbol. Party workers are being harassed in various ways, and most of them have left the area for work. With whom am I supposed to contest the election? Given the pressure being exerted by the administration, the workers say they cannot remain in the electoral fray. That is precisely why I have decided to withdraw my nomination," he told mediapersons.

His withdrawal leaves Banerjee's faction without nominees in both Rejinagar and Nandigram, where polling is scheduled for October 6.

Nandigram exit followed by Congress setback

In Nandigram, Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew her nomination on Friday after meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Following her exit, Banerjee announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.

Pradhan, however, was arrested on Friday evening in connection with an old murder case linked to the 2007 Nandigram land agitation, according to reports. The arrest came hours after Banerjee announced her support.

EC order changed TMC's poll identity

The withdrawals come amid the dispute between rival Trinamool factions over the party's name and election symbol.

The Election Commission has barred both factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and the reserved 'Flowers & Grass' symbol for the bypolls. It subsequently allotted the Mamata-led faction the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the 'Football Player' symbol, while the rival group was given the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' and the 'Envelope' symbol.

Banerjee has challenged the Election Commission's interim decision in the Supreme Court.