TMC faces setback as EC cancels candidate’s nomination in Krishnanagar Uttar

In a significant pre-election development in West Bengal, the Election Commission has rejected the nomination of Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Abhinav Bhattacharya from the Krishnanagar Uttar constituency , citing legal disqualification under the Representation of the People Act.

The decision, confirmed by officials in Kolkata, comes under Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act , a provision that bars individuals from contesting elections if they are engaged in business dealings or contractual arrangements with the government . Authorities found that Bhattacharya was involved in state government-related contractual work at the time of filing his nomination papers, a clear violation under the law aimed at preventing conflict of interest.

Officials explained that the rule ensures fairness and transparency in electoral contests , preventing candidates from leveraging government ties for undue advantage. “Individuals directly linked to government contracts cannot contest elections, as it raises concerns over impartiality,” an official noted.

Reacting to the development, Bhattacharya described the decision as “unfortunate” , while maintaining that he would respect the party’s stance moving forward . The Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is now considering fielding an alternative candidate from the constituency.

Notably, Banerjee had earlier introduced Bhattacharya as the party’s nominee during a public rally in Shantipur, making the rejection a last-minute political setback for the ruling party.

The development comes just weeks before voters head to the polls in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly elections , scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29 , with counting set for May 4 . The incident underscores how legal scrutiny and compliance remain crucial in the high-stakes electoral process, where even minor technicalities can reshape political equations overnight.