Political developments in West Bengal show major challenges for Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress faction ahead of key assembly by-polls. The party’s candidate from Rezinagar, Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, withdrew his nomination, citing difficulties in popularising a new party symbol, alleged intimidation, and a lack of ground-level cadre support. This follows the earlier withdrawal of candidate Sanchita Pradhan in Nandigram, where the party subsequently extended support to the Congress candidate, Milan Pradhan, who was later arrested in connection with pending criminal cases. Following an interim ruling by the Election Commission of India recognising two separate factions—Mamata Banerjee All India Trinamool Congress and the rebel Democratic Trinamool Congress—the Mamata Banerjee-led group faces operational hurdles and has approached the Supreme Court of India seeking legal relief.
