KOLKATA, September 19: Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, who is contesting the upcoming Nandigram Assembly by-election, has been arrested by West Bengal Police in connection with an old murder case linked to the 2007 anti-land acquisition agitation. The arrest came just hours after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s faction announced support for his candidature following the withdrawal of its own nominee.
Milan Pradhan Arrested Hours After Mamata’s Support
Pradhan was taken into custody on Friday evening in Purba Medinipur district, shortly after Banerjee announced that her faction would support the Congress nominee in the October 6 Nandigram bypoll.
Police said they were executing a pending arrest warrant in connection with a case dating back to the 2007 Nandigram movement. Reports differ on whether the arrest relates to one or multiple old murder cases, and police have not publicly detailed all charges in the material reviewed.
Mamata Camp Withdraws Its Own Candidate
Earlier on Friday, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the candidate backed by Mamata Banerjee’s faction, withdrew from the Nandigram contest.
Banerjee subsequently announced support for Milan Pradhan, describing cooperation with the Congress as part of an effort to strengthen opposition unity.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, however, said his party had not sought Banerjee’s support, highlighting that the two sides were not presenting an identical account of the political arrangement.
Congress Questions Timing of Arrest
Congress leaders have questioned why police acted against Pradhan immediately after his nomination and after Banerjee’s public backing.
West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar asked why action had not been taken earlier if cases and warrants were already pending against Pradhan. The Congress has characterised the timing as politically motivated.
Those allegations are the opposition’s political claims. Police have said the arrest was based on a pending warrant connected to the old case.
Mamata Banerjee Also Criticises Arrest
Banerjee’s faction has also criticised the arrest and questioned its timing.
According to The New Indian Express, Banerjee alleged that the development reflected what she described as “politics of vendetta” by the BJP.
The BJP has rejected opposition criticism and separately argued that Banerjee’s faction withdrew its own candidate because it expected to perform poorly in the constituency. That is the BJP’s stated political position rather than an independently established reason for the withdrawal.
Arrest Does Not Automatically Bar Pradhan From Contesting
Pradhan’s arrest does not by itself disqualify him from contesting the by-election.
He can remain a candidate unless circumstances arise that trigger a disqualification under election law, although detention could affect his ability to campaign ahead of polling.
The deadline for filing nominations is September 19, while polling in Nandigram is scheduled for October 6.
Case Linked to 2007 Nandigram Movement
The case dates back to the politically significant 2007 Nandigram anti-land acquisition movement, which became a major turning point in West Bengal politics.
The agitation against proposed land acquisition contributed to a wider political movement that strengthened Banerjee’s challenge to the then Left Front government.
Pradhan has been named in cases linked to that period, according to multiple reports. The current proceedings concern allegations that remain subject to the judicial process, and the arrest itself is not a finding of guilt.
Nandigram Bypoll Turns Into High-Profile Contest
The latest arrest has added another layer of political tension to the Nandigram bypoll, one of West Bengal’s most closely watched constituencies.
The seat goes to polls on October 6, with votes scheduled to be counted on October 9.
The contest is unfolding amid wider political realignments in the state, making the developments around Pradhan’s arrest and candidature a major issue in the campaign.
source – Hindustan Times / The New Indian Express / The Indian Express / India Today
Supreme News Network
