KOLKATA : The Trinamool Congress faction led by Mamata Banerjee has been hit by the withdrawal of its candidates from the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly bypolls, adding a new twist to the party’s ongoing internal dispute.
In Nandigram, Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew her nomination on Friday, shortly after meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Mamata subsequently announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in the constituency.
In Rejinagar, Rabiul Alam Chowdhury also decided to withdraw from the contest on Saturday. He cited the limited time available to familiarise voters with the newly allotted election symbol and difficulties in mobilising party workers.
The withdrawals came after the Election Commission froze the traditional TMC name and symbol amid the factional dispute and allotted separate names and symbols to the rival camps. The developments have intensified political debate ahead of the October 6 bypolls in the two constituencies.