In a dramatic turn of events that has sent ripples through West Bengal's political landscape, former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Rabiul Alam Chowdhury first announced his withdrawal from the Rejinagar bypoll on Wednesday before retracting the statement just hours later, leaving allies and rivals alike uncertain about his true intentions.
Chowdhury, who addressed reporters at his residence in Murshidabad's Rejinagar area, opened with an explanation that carried heavy implications for the ruling party's electoral preparations. He told the gathered media that continuous harassment directed at grassroots TMC workers had made it increasingly difficult for him to keep the party cadre motivated ahead of the upcoming vote.
"It is becoming difficult for me to motivate grassroots workers who have been facing regular harassment," Chowdhury stated during the early-afternoon press conference. His remarks pointed squarely at the tense atmosphere that has marked much of the bypoll campaign period in this crucial Murshidabad constituency.
However, within a matter of hours, Chowdhury appeared to reverse course entirely. Sources close to him confirmed that he had spoken with senior TMC leadership, including chief minister Mamata Banerjee's office, following the initial announcement. The exact conversations remain under wraps, but witnesses say the former MLA decided not to withdraw after discussions aimed at addressing his concerns about worker safety and intimidation.
Rejinagar has long been a politically sensitive seat in northern Bengal, and this episode underscores the volatile dynamics unfolding ahead of the bypoll. Political analysts note that the public withdrawal-and-reversal sequence is highly unusual and has drawn widespread attention from opposition parties, who are likely to scrutinize the situation closely.
Local TMC functionaries expressed mixed reactions. Some welcomed the continuation of the campaign, while others worried privately about what the brief withdrawal announcement might signal regarding ground-level morale. Opposition camp figures have accused the TMC government of fostering an environment where party workers face undue pressure, a claim the ruling party has consistently denied.
The Rejinagar bypoll date has yet to be officially announced by the Election Commission, but preparations across all parties are in full swing in the Murshidabad district.
