Left ally says a technical objection prevented use of its traditional symbol; party accuses poll authorities of bias and hints at legal action
Kolkata, September 22:(SDNA) The political contest for the Rejinagar Assembly seat in West Bengal has taken an unexpected turn after the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), a constituent of the Left Front, withdrew its candidate from the October 6 by-election.
The party said the decision was forced by a dispute over its election symbol. According to RSP leaders, the Election Commission did not permit the party’s candidate to contest under its traditional ‘spade and shovel’ symbol and instead allotted the ‘bucket’ symbol.
RSP leader Manoj Bandyopadhyay said the party was informed about the decision after scrutiny of nominations on Saturday. He described the issue as a technical objection and said the party had no practical option but to withdraw its candidate.
The RSP candidate, Vikas Chandra Mishra, had already begun campaigning before the withdrawal decision was taken.
Symbol dispute triggers political row
Bandyopadhyay said the party could not accept contesting the election without the symbol that voters traditionally associate with the RSP.
He argued that while Mishra’s name could still appear on the electronic voting machine, the party had decided not to participate in the by-election under the circumstances.
For the RSP, the dispute goes beyond the allocation of a particular electoral symbol. Party leaders maintain that the ‘spade and shovel’ has a longstanding association with its political identity, organisational history and electoral campaigns.
RSP alleges bias, considers legal route
The controversy has also escalated into allegations against election authorities.
RSP state secretary Tapan Hore accused officials of bias and alleged that the decision regarding the symbol was part of a larger conspiracy. He also raised allegations of partiality against the police and local administration.
The party said it is consulting its lawyers and may approach the court over the matter.
What led to the RSP withdrawal?
The Rejinagar contest had already exposed differences within the Left Front.
The RSP had claimed the seat, while the CPI(M), the Left Front’s principal constituent, decided to field its own candidate. Following the disagreement, the RSP entered the race by putting up Vikas Chandra Mishra as a rebel candidate.
That move had the potential to turn the contest into a direct electoral battle between two parties belonging to the broader Left camp.
With the RSP candidate now withdrawn, the CPI(M) remains the only Left Front constituent formally contesting the Rejinagar by-election.
The episode has added another layer of political tension to a bypoll that was already marked by differences within the Left alliance.
(With PTI inputs)
(SDNA)