GUWAHATI: The Assam Pradesh Trinamool Congress on Saturday, September 19, has withdrawn its candidate from the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, protesting the Election Commission of India’s decision to temporarily freeze the party’s original name and election symbol.
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The party had fielded educationist Abdul Salam as its candidate for the Nagaon bypoll, scheduled to be held on October 6.
In a statement, Assam TMC state convenor and Mandia MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed said the party was “deeply shocked” by what it described as an “unjust and undemocratic” move by the Election Commission.
“We are deeply shocked by the unjust and undemocratic move to temporarily freeze our party’s name and election symbol for the Nagaon by-election. We strongly condemn the Election Commission of India for strangling democracy,” Ahmed said.
The Assam Pradesh Trinamool Congress subsequently decided not to contest the Nagaon by-election in protest against the Election Commission’s decision.
“In protest, we, the Assam Pradesh Trinamool Congress Committee have resolved NOT to contest this bye-election in the Nagaon constituency,” the statement said.
The Election Commission had temporarily frozen the use of the ‘All India Trinamool Congress’ name and its ‘Flowers and Grass’ symbol amid an internal dispute within the party.
Meanwhile, according to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Assam, the withdrawal of candidature for the Nagaon Parliamentary Constituency by-election was concluded on September 19.
The CEO’s office said that out of 18 validly nominated candidates, three candidates withdrew their candidature on the final day. Following the withdrawals, 15 candidates remain in the fray for the Nagaon Parliamentary Constituency Bye Election 2026.
The Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election is scheduled for October 6, with counting of votes set for October 9.