Mamata's Rejinagar bypoll candidate withdraws, retracts decision later

In a dramatic turn of events, Mamata Banerjee's party's Rejinagar by-election candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury on Saturday announced his withdrawal from the contest, only to retract his statement within a few hours, and assert he would be in the October 6 poll battle as per the wishes of the supremo.

The development came a day after Banerjee's party's Nandigram by-election nominee Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew her candidature following a meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Chowdhury, a former TMC MLA, told reporters in his Murshidabad home earlier in the day, "It is becoming difficult for me to motivate grassroots workers who have been facing regular harassment.

Also, it is an onerous task to familiarise the electorate with the new 'footballer' symbol in such a short time.

In this given situation, last night I informed Mamata di about my decision (not to contest)...

Let's see," he said.

However, hours later, Chowdhury, in another hurriedly convened press meet, said, "I will