Milan Pradhan was arrested in connection with an old 2007 case hours after Mamata Banerjee announced that her faction would support his candidature in the October 6 Nandigram bypoll.
Nandigram Bypoll Takes Dramatic Turn
New Delhi, September 19, 2026: The political contest for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll took a fresh turn after Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested in connection with an old case dating back to the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement.
The arrest came hours after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her faction of the Trinamool Congress would support Pradhan in the upcoming bypoll. The Nandigram seat is scheduled to go to polls on October 6.
Rahul Gandhi Calls Arrest ‘Political Revenge’
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi criticised the arrest and alleged that it was politically motivated.
In a post on X, Gandhi said the arrest was not a coincidence and accused the BJP of attempting to undermine the electoral contest. He said the Congress would continue its campaign and contest the bypoll.
These are allegations made by Gandhi and the Congress; the BJP has disputed the Congress’s interpretation of the developments.
Congress Questions Timing of Arrest
Congress leaders have questioned why action was taken against Pradhan at this stage, particularly after he had filed his nomination for the Nandigram bypoll.
West Bengal Congress leaders have alleged that the timing of the arrest raises questions about the political implications of the case. Congress has also indicated that it would approach legal and electoral authorities over the matter.
Reports, however, state that the arrest was connected to an old case and that police cited a pending warrant in relation to the proceedings.
Mamata Banerjee’s Faction Backs Congress Candidate
The development followed a major change in the Nandigram contest. Mamata Banerjee’s faction had fielded Sanchita Pradhan Dey, but she withdrew her nomination on September 18.
After the withdrawal, Banerjee announced that her faction would not field another candidate and would instead support Congress nominee Milan Pradhan.
The sequence of events — the withdrawal of the TMC faction’s candidate, Mamata Banerjee’s support for Pradhan and his subsequent arrest — has intensified political tensions ahead of the bypoll.
Old Case Linked to 2007 Nandigram Movement
According to reports, Pradhan’s arrest is linked to cases dating back to the 2007 anti-land acquisition protests in Nandigram. Different reports have described the proceedings as involving old murder cases registered during that period.
The arrest does not, by itself, automatically prevent Pradhan from contesting the election, although it could affect his ability to campaign, according to reports.
Nandigram Bypoll on October 6
The Nandigram Assembly bypoll is scheduled for October 6, 2026, making the arrest a significant development in the run-up to polling.
The Congress has said it will continue with its electoral campaign, while political parties remain engaged in a heated dispute over the circumstances surrounding Pradhan’s arrest.
Source: Babushahi Network / ANI; additional reporting cross-checked with India Today, Hindustan Times and The Tribune.
