Aafreen Hussain / KOLKATA
Rejinagar in Murshidabad has emerged as one of the most closely watched Assembly constituencies in West Bengal ahead of the October 6, 2026 by-election. What was initially expected to be a routine contest has developed into a multi-cornered battle involving rival Trinamool factions, BJP, Left, Congress and the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP). Counting will take place on October 9.
The seat fell vacant after Humayun Kabir, who had won both Rejinagar and Nowda in the 2026 Assembly election, retained Nowda. Kabir secured 123,536 votes, or 51.62 per cent, defeating BJP’s Bapan Ghosh by 58,876 votes, while TMC finished third. His son, Golam Nabi Azad, is now contesting on an AJUP ticket, raising questions over whether his father’s electoral influence can pass to the next generation.
A Changing Political Landscape
Rejinagar has witnessed considerable political change. Congress and the Left once held strong positions before Trinamool Congress emerged as a major force. In 2021, TMC’s Rabiul Alam Chowdhury won the seat with more than 118,000 votes.
The 2026 election dramatically changed the political equation, with Humayun Kabir’s AJUP victory challenging the established parties. The subsequent TMC split has added another layer to the contest.
Battle Over the TMC Identity
Amid the dispute between rival factions, the Election Commission froze the traditional TMC name and symbol. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction is contesting Rejinagar with Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, while the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction, Democratic Trinamool Congress, has fielded Safiuzzaman Sheikh.
The BJP has nominated Shankharavh Sarkar, while Congress is represented by Mohd Abdullahil Kafi. The CPI(M) has fielded Syed Asad Ali, and the RSP is contesting separately with Bikash Chandra Misra.
Thus, Rejinagar is no longer simply a contest between candidates. The ballot has become part of a larger struggle over political identity and the Trinamool legacy.
The Rabiul Episode
The contest witnessed another dramatic development on the final day for withdrawal of nominations. Rabiul Alam Chowdhury initially announced his withdrawal, citing difficulties arising from the new party identity and symbol and the limited campaign period.
For several hours, it appeared that Mamata’s faction would disappear from the contest. However, following further developments, Rabiul reversed his decision and remained in the race.
The episode came amid developments in Nandigram, where Mamata’s candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Nabanna. Mamata subsequently backed Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
BJP, Left and Congress See an Opening
BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya has criticised the fragmentation among opposition forces. CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty has argued for greater space for Left, democratic and secular forces.
With two TMC factions, AJUP, BJP, Congress and Left candidates in the field, Rejinagar has become a genuinely multi-cornered contest.
SIR Adds Another Dimension
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has also become an issue. More than 12,000 SIR-related appeals have reportedly been filed in Rejinagar.
Humayun Kabir has alleged administrative pressure and arrests of party workers and said that he and his son would stay away from active campaigning. These remain Kabir’s political allegations and have been disputed by rival parties.
October 6: The Test Begins
Rejinagar will vote on October 6, with counting scheduled for October 9. The result will show how voters respond to the competing political formations, the TMC split, AJUP’s presence and the claims of BJP, Left and Congress.
The by-election has therefore become more than a contest for one Assembly seat. It brings together changing loyalties, new symbols, organisational divisions and an emerging political family. The voters will determine the outcome on October 6, with the result to be declared on October 9