# TMC’s Rejinagar candidate withdraws, second setback for Mamata

2026-09-19T07:06:56+00:00 | Politics | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the candidate of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll, has withdrawn his candidature, citing the difficulty of familiarising voters with the party's newly allotted 'football player' election symbol in the short time before the October 6 vote. The decision comes a day after the faction's Nandigram candidate, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, also pulled out. The Election Commission froze the original TMC name and 'flowers and grass' symbol amid a dispute between rival factions, allotting Mamata's group the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the 'football player' symbol. Mamata has challenged the EC's interim order in the Supreme Court. After Dey's withdrawal, her faction backed Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in Nandigram, who was later arrested in connection with cases dating to 2007. Opposition parties alleged the arrest was politically motivated, though these claims have not been independently established. The bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar are scheduled for October 6, with counting on October 9.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All four sources report the Rejinagar withdrawal as a factual event, but coverage diverges on emphasis. Times of India provides the most context, explaining the EC's symbol ruling and its impact on candidates. NDTV and Hindustan Times frame it as a political setback for Mamata, while Times Now stays brief. The Times of India also notes opposition allegations of state influence, but no source validates them. The common thread is that the EC's interim order on party symbols is the root cause. The Supreme Court hearing on Mamata's challenge will determine whether her faction can use the original TMC name and symbol.

## Coverage

- ndtv.com (neutral report) <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rabiul-alam-chowdhury-mamata-banerjees-pick-for-rejinagar-bypoll-withdraws-candidature-day-after-nandigram-blow-12067758>
  Leads with political setbacks for Mamata, reports withdrawals factually.
- timesnownews.com (neutral report) <https://www.timesnownews.com/india/mamata-camp-suffers-another-setback-after-nandigram-tmc-candidate-for-rejinagar-bypoll-withdraws-candidature-article-156185778>
  Brief factual report of the withdrawal, marked as developing story.
- hindustantimes.com (neutral report) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/after-nandigram-tmcs-rejinagar-candidate-rabiul-chowdhury-withdraws-from-bypoll-in-fresh-setback-for-mamata-banerjee-101789799469042.html>
  Reports withdrawal, cites ANI on symbol issue, includes Rahul Gandhi's statement without endorsement.
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/trouble-mounts-for-mamata-banerjee-as-her-rejinagar-bypolls-pick-withdraws/articleshow/134349583.cms>
  Provides detailed context on EC decision, symbol allotment, and opposition allegations without slant.

Tags: Mamata Banerjee, Rejinagar, Trinamool Congress, West Bengal
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