West Bengal bypolls face political volatility and candidate shifts

West Bengal bypolls Mamata Banerjee Trinamool Congress faction Rejinagar Assembly Nandigram bypoll

Political volatility is increasing in West Bengal ahead of the October 6 bypolls in Rejinagar and Nandigram. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress, officially named ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’, has experienced significant shifts in candidate status.

In Rejinagar, candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury briefly announced his withdrawal from the race, citing administrative pressure and difficulties campaigning with the faction’s new ‘Football Player’ symbol. However, following a lengthy discussion with Mamata Banerjee, Chowdhury reversed his decision and confirmed he will remain in the contest.

In Nandigram, the faction’s candidate, Sanchita Dey Pradhan, previously withdrew from the race after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Consequently, Banerjee announced support for the Congress candidate, Milan Pradhan, to strengthen the ‘INDIA’ bloc. However, Pradhan was subsequently arrested by police in connection with a 2007 murder case.

Adding to the tension, the Mamata faction reported the vandalism of its office in south Kolkata, alleging attacks by BJP-backed miscreants. The BJP has denied these claims, attributing the unrest to internal factional disputes within the Trinamool Congress. The Election Commission of India had previously frozen the original party name and symbol, allotting new identities to the rival factions.

Entities

Election Commission of India · Mamata Banerjee · Milan Pradhan · Nandigram · Rabiul Alam Chowdhury · Rejinagar · Trinamool Congress · West Bengal

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] Chowdhury cited difficulties with the new election symbol and pressure on party workers as reasons for his initial withdrawal. thenews21.com · www.nationalheraldindia.com · madhyamamonline.com · munsifdaily.com · www.newindianexpress.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Police arrested Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in connection with a 2007 murder case. thenews21.com · www.newindianexpress.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Rabiul Alam Chowdhury reversed his decision to withdraw from the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll contest. thenews21.com · www.nationalheraldindia.com · www.newindianexpress.com · madhyamamonline.com · munsifdaily.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Mamata Banerjee announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in Nandigram following Sanchita Pradhan Dey's withdrawal. thenews21.com · www.newindianexpress.com · munsifdaily.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The bypolls for Nandigram and Rejinagar are scheduled for October 6, with counting on October 9. www.newindianexpress.com · madhyamamonline.com · munsifdaily.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the Mamata Banerjee camp candidate for Nandigram, withdrew from the contest. thenews21.com · www.newindianexpress.com · madhyamamonline.com · munsifdaily.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction was allotted the name ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Envelope’ symbol. thenews21.com · www.nationalheraldindia.com · madhyamamonline.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Election Commission allotted the name ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Football Player’ symbol to the Mamata Banerjee-led faction. thenews21.com · www.nationalheraldindia.com · madhyamamonline.com