Congress's Nandigram candidate in custody till October 3, campaigning ends next day ::: Rejinagar Mamata's candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury says he would contest polls

Congress's Nandigram candidate Milan Pradhan in custody till October 3, campaigning ends next day  

The Haldia Subdivisional Court remanded Pradhan to 14 days in custody on Saturday, a day after his arrest on four pending warrants linked to cases registered during the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram.

West Bengal Police said the cases against Pradhan include allegations of rioting, murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and criminal intimidation, along with offences under the Arms Act.  His arrest came hours after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her faction would support him following the withdrawal of its candidate, Sanchita Pradhan De.  

Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the Team Mamata candidate, who earlier had withdrawn his nomination from the Rejinagar seat, is now back in the poll race.  

Nearly three hours after withdrawing his nomination, Team Mamata’s Rejinagar Assembly bypoll pick Rabiul Alam Chowdhury is back in the election race, saying he will contest the seat.

His decision to step aside had followed a conversation with Mamata Banerjee. Chowdhury cited the ongoing legal battle over the TMC’s name and symbol, along with alleged intimidation of cadre loyal to the Mamata-led faction, among the factors behind his move.  

After reversing his decision, the veteran politician said that he would start campaigning in the constituency from Saturday. 

Meanwhile, sources from the Mamata faction said that Chowdhury would contest the election on the temporary 'football player' symbol that has been allotted to the faction.

Earlier in the day, in a major surprise -- Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, who was picked by the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll, said on Saturday that he has withdrawn his nomination.  

Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, who was picked by the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll, said on Saturday that he has withdrawn his nomination.

Pradhan pulled out of the contest on Friday afternoon after meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the state secretariat, Nabanna.

She subsequently withdrew her nomination at the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Haldia.

The Nandigram development was followed by Mamata Banerjee announcing that her faction would not contest the seat and would instead support Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.

Rabiul Alam Chowdhury Was Named TMC Candidate On September 13.

ends