KOLKATA — West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has faced another political complication ahead of upcoming local legislative contests, as a second candidate backed by her faction has stepped down from the electoral race in quick succession.
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury announced his withdrawal from the upcoming bypolls in Rejinagar on Friday. His decision follows closely behind a similar move by Sanchita Pradhan Dey, who had previously been selected to represent the faction in Nandigram.
Dey formally withdrew her candidacy just a day prior to Chowdhury's announcement. Reports noted that she and her husband had held a meeting with opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari earlier in the week, though she chose not to publicly elaborate on her reasons for abandoning the campaign.
The sudden departure of these candidates has forced last-minute strategic adjustments for the ruling faction. Following Dey's exit in Nandigram, the group shifted its institutional backing to support Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in that constituency instead.
These withdrawals present a significant logistical and psychological hurdle for the regional leadership as they prepare for the electoral showdown. Rejinagar and Nandigram are both areas of high political sensitivity within West Bengal, where competition between regional forces and rival parties remains intense.
The series of withdrawals highlights the fluid and unpredictable nature of local political alignments in the state. Observers note that candidate stability is crucial during compressed electoral timelines, making sudden exits particularly disruptive for campaign momentum.
Further updates regarding candidate replacements and revised campaign strategies for the Rejinagar constituency are expected in the coming days. Local party organizers are working to stabilize their support base following the unexpected departures.
Reporting based on coverage first published by The Times of India. Read the original report at The Times of India.
