New Delhi: Surprising news has emerged regarding the by-election for the Nandigram seat in West Bengal, news that could prove to be a major setback for former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the candidate from the faction led by Mamata Banerjee, has withdrawn her candidature for the Nandigram seat. Everyone was taken by surprise when Sanchita visited the state secretariat, Nabanna, and met with Suvendu Adhikari.
This marks another significant blow to Mamata Banerjee in the face of Suvendu Adhikari’s strategy. The West Bengal BJP views this as a major victory. According to sources, Mamata Banerjee’s candidate even sought blessings from Suvendu Adhikari.
Mamata Banerjee’s candidate sought blessings from Suvendu.
Sources indicate that Mamata Banerjee’s declared candidate sought blessings from Suvendu Adhikari before withdrawing her nomination. Although the meeting was initially described as a courtesy call, Sanchita’s subsequent withdrawal of her nomination has sparked political speculation regarding the encounter. Sanchita Pradhan Dey had been fielded as the candidate for the Nandigram by-election by the faction led by Mamata Banerjee.
Following the scrutiny of nominations, she had been allotted the ‘Football Player’ election symbol. She then visited Nabanna and met Suvendu Adhikari. Now, she has withdrawn her name from the electoral fray. Detailed reasons for Sanchita’s withdrawal have not yet been disclosed, leading to speculation about the implications of this decision for Nandigram’s politics.
A new twist in Nandigram politics following the split
This new development in the Nandigram by-election comes at a time when the two TMC factions have been allotted separate symbols. The Election Commission assigned the name ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Football Player’ symbol to the faction led by Mamata Banerjee.
Meanwhile, the faction led by Arup Roy was allotted the name ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Envelope’ election symbol. The Commission had barred both factions from using the original ‘All India Trinamool Congress’ name and the ‘Twin Flowers and Grass’ election symbol for the upcoming by-election.
Additionally, the faction led by Mamata Banerjee had announced Sanchita Pradhan Dey as its candidate for the Nandigram by-election; her name was declared on September 13. Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath as its candidate from Nandigram; she is the mother of Chandranath Rath, the former personal assistant of Suvendu Adhikari. Mohammad Eteshamul Haque is in the fray representing the Ritabrata faction. The Congress and the Left Front have also fielded their respective candidates. The BJP appears highly emboldened following the withdrawal of Mamata Banerjee’s candidate’s nomination.
