KRISHNANAGAR (NADIA): EC has cancelled the nomination of Trinamool Congress candidate Abhinav Bhattacharya from Krishnanagar North in Nadia district on grounds of conflict of interest – the first such rejection involving a recognised party’s candidate in the 2026 Bengal assembly elections, reports Ashis Poddar. The poll panel invoked section 9A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which disqualifies anyone with a subsisting contract with govt for supply of goods or execution of works. EC found that Bhattacharya’s business dealings with state govt constituted a conflict of interest, rendering his candidature invalid, sources said. TMC, anticipating the possibility, had got an alternative candidate, Somnath Dutta, to file his nomination. He will now contest from the seat as TMC nominee. Bhattacharya called the development “unfortunate”, but said he would abide by the party’s decision.