Team Mamata’s Rejinagar bypoll candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury has reversed his decision to withdraw from the election and will now contest the seat.
Chowdhury had withdrawn his nomination earlier, citing difficulties arising from the ongoing dispute over the TMC’s name and election symbol. He also pointed to concerns over the identification of the new symbol among voters.
After speaking with Mamata Banerjee, Chowdhury reconsidered his decision. He said no one had pressured him to withdraw, although he alleged that workers supporting the Mamata-led faction were facing intimidation while campaigning.
The veteran leader said he would begin campaigning in Rejinagar from Saturday. The Mamata faction is expected to field him using its temporary football-player symbol.
The development comes a day after Team Mamata’s Nandigram candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew from the bypoll race after meeting BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Mamata Banerjee subsequently announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
Pradhan was later arrested in connection with a 19-year-old murder case, triggering a political confrontation between the BJP, Congress and TMC.