Nandigram Bypoll: Congress Candidate Milan Pradhan Arrested Hours After Mamata Support

Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested in West Bengal on Friday, September 18, in connection with an old murder case, hours after Mamata Banerjee announced that her faction would support his candidature in the Nandigram Assembly bypoll.

What happened in Nandigram

The arrest followed a rapid sequence of political developments. Mamata Banerjee's faction had fielded Sanchita Pradhan Dey in Nandigram, but she withdrew her candidature after meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Banerjee subsequently announced that her faction would support the Congress candidate instead.

The Nandigram bypoll is scheduled for October 6. The nomination withdrawal deadline is September 19.

Why was Milan Pradhan arrested?

Reports from Anandabazar and other news organisations say Pradhan was arrested in connection with an old murder case linked to the 2007 Nandigram land-acquisition agitation. Reports citing police sources said a warrant had been issued against him. The precise legal status and details of the case are subject to the court proceedings.

Political reactions

Banerjee questioned the timing of the arrest and alleged that an old case had been revived after her announcement of support. Congress leaders also criticised the timing. These are political allegations; the available reports do not establish that the arrest was caused by the support announcement.

The developments unfolded alongside a separate dispute over the Trinamool Congress name and election symbol, adding to the political uncertainty around the Nandigram contest.

Source note: Rashtrix has rewritten and cross-checked the report using Anandabazar.com and contemporaneous reports from NDTV, The Indian Express and other outlets.