TMC Candidate’s Nomination Rejected in Krishnanagar Uttar: The nomination of Abhinav Bhattacharya, the Trinamool candidate for the Krishnanagar North Assembly constituency, has been rejected; in his stead, Somnath Dutta has been named the Trinamool candidate for the seat. According to sources, Bhattacharya’s nomination was cancelled because he is a registered government contractor and remains under contract with a state government department. The Returning Officer rejected his nomination under Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act. Following the rejection, Abhinav stated that the situation is highly unfortunate, but affirmed that the party stands by him.
The political temperature in West Bengal has risen sharply after a dramatic development in the Krishnanagar Uttar Assembly constituency. Just days before polling, the nomination of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate was rejected by the Election Commission, forcing the party to make a last-minute change.
What Led to the Rejection?
The nomination of TMC candidate Abhinav Bhattacharya was cancelled during the scrutiny process. According to election authorities, the rejection was based on provisions under Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
This law clearly states that a candidate cannot contest elections if they have an ongoing business relationship or contract with the government. In Bhattacharya’s case, officials found that he was allegedly involved in government-related contractual work, creating a conflict of interest.
Because of this legal complication, his nomination was declared invalid.
TMC Candidate’s Nomination Rejected in Krishnanagar: A Sudden Political Twist
What makes this situation more interesting is the timing. Just days earlier, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had publicly introduced Bhattacharya as the party’s candidate at a rally in Shantipur.
However, anticipating possible complications, the TMC had already taken a precautionary step. Another leader, Somnath Dutta, had filed nomination papers as a backup candidate shortly before the deadline.
After Bhattacharya’s disqualification, Dutta has now officially become the party’s candidate for the seat.
Reaction from the Candidate and Party
Reacting to the development, Bhattacharya described the situation as “unfortunate” but stated that he would follow the party’s decision going forward.
TMC leaders also downplayed the controversy, suggesting that the party was prepared for such a scenario. Senior leaders indicated that the transition from Bhattacharya to Dutta was part of a strategic fallback plan.
Political Impact in Nadia District
The Krishnanagar Uttar seat, located in Nadia district, is considered politically significant. The sudden change in candidature has sparked fresh debates and added uncertainty to the electoral contest.
Local political circles were already witnessing tension during the nomination scrutiny process. The rejection has now intensified the competition, giving opposition parties an opportunity to question the ruling party’s candidate selection process.
TMC Candidate’s Nomination Rejected in Krishnanagar: Why This Case Matters
This is not just another nomination rejection. It is being seen as one of the rare instances where a candidate from a major recognized party has been disqualified during scrutiny in the ongoing 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
It also highlights the strict enforcement of election laws, especially regarding conflicts of interest involving government contracts.
West Bengal Election 2026 Context
The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections are being held in two phases, with voting scheduled for April and results expected in early May. The elections are crucial for all major parties, including the TMC and BJP, as they battle for control of the 294-member assembly.
In such a high-stakes environment, even a single seat like Krishnanagar Uttar can influence broader political narratives.
Related Article: WB Election Cancelled Nominations 2026 List: Cancelled Candidate List & Latest Updates
Know More: https://voters.eci.gov.in/
