2 hrs ago
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury Rejoins Rejinagar By-Poll After Political Drama
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury is running in the Rejinagar election after briefly saying he would quit.
He first said his party did not have enough workers.
He also said police intimidation and problems with the party symbol made campaigning difficult.
Later, Mamata Banerjee reportedly asked him to stay in the race.
Chowdhury then met a police officer to request protection for party workers.
Humayun Kabir said the police were trying to divide votes and help the BJP.
The police-pressure allegation was not independently established in the reports.
BJP candidate Sujal Sarkar said his party would win and described the Trinamool Congress as divided.
Trinamool Congress candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury reversed his withdrawal and will contest the Rejinagar Assembly by-election.
Chowdhury initially cited a shortage of party workers, alleged police intimidation, and problems involving the party symbol.
He said Mamata Banerjee later asked him by phone to continue campaigning for the party.
Chowdhury met the Beldanga police station chief and sought security for Trinamool Congress workers.
Humayun Kabir alleged police pressure was intended to split minority votes, while BJP candidate Sujal Sarkar predicted a BJP victory.
- Who
- Trinamool Congress candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, Mamata Banerjee, Humayun Kabir, and BJP candidate Sujal Sarkar are central figures.
- What
- Chowdhury reversed his announced withdrawal and decided to contest the Rejinagar Assembly by-election.
- Where
- The contest is in Rejinagar; Chowdhury met the Inspector-in-Charge at Beldanga Police Station.
- When
- The reversal occurred on Saturday after Chowdhury announced his withdrawal earlier the same morning.
- Why
- Chowdhury said he continued at Mamata Banerjee's request, after citing worker shortages, alleged police intimidation, and symbol-related issues.
Trinamool Congress and BJP Candidates
Aam Janata Unnayan Party Criticism
Why Chowdhury stayed in the race
Trinamool Congress and BJP Candidates
Chowdhury said he wanted to contest from his old home turf at Mamata Banerjee's request. Sujal Sarkar said the BJP was not concerned about the field of candidates.
Aam Janata Unnayan Party Criticism
Humayun Kabir alleged police pressured Chowdhury to remain in the contest to split minority votes and indirectly benefit the BJP.
Police and campaign conditions
Trinamool Congress and BJP Candidates
Chowdhury cited alleged police intimidation and later sought security for party workers at Beldanga Police Station.
Aam Janata Unnayan Party Criticism
Kabir alleged police arrested his party's general secretary, Asif Iqbal, in false arms and fake currency cases to demoralize the party.
Party strength and election prospects
Trinamool Congress and BJP Candidates
Sujal Sarkar claimed the Trinamool Congress was divided into several factions and predicted a BJP victory.
Aam Janata Unnayan Party Criticism
Kabir's allegations portrayed the election environment as being affected by pressure on his party and its supporters.
Key facts
- Election
- Rejinagar Assembly by-election
- Candidate
- Rabiul Alam Chowdhury of the Trinamool Congress
- Initial decision
- Chowdhury announced his withdrawal on Saturday morning
- Revised decision
- He later decided to remain in the contest
- Security request
- He sought protection for party workers from the Beldanga police station authorities
- Allegation
- Humayun Kabir alleged police pressure was intended to split minority votes and indirectly help the BJP
- BJP position
- Sujal Sarkar said the BJP would win and claimed the Trinamool Congress was divided
Sources
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