Agencies | Kolkotta:
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, who is contesting the Nandigram Assembly bypoll, was arrested on Friday in connection with an old murder case linked to the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement, hours after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her faction would support his candidature.
The arrest came amid a rapidly changing political situation in Nandigram ahead of the October 6 bypoll. Reports said Pradhan was taken into custody in connection with cases dating back to the anti-land acquisition protests in Nandigram, which were led by Banerjee at the time.
The development followed the withdrawal of Sanchita Pradhan Dey, who had been fielded by the Mamata Banerjee-led faction. Pradhan Dey met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Nabanna on Friday and subsequently withdrew her nomination.
Following her withdrawal, Banerjee announced that her faction would support the Congress candidate in Nandigram, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen the INDIA bloc.
The arrest came shortly after the announcement, adding another twist to the contest in the politically significant constituency.
The developments unfolded against the backdrop of an ongoing dispute over the Trinamool Congress name and election symbol.
The Election Commission has temporarily frozen the use of the name “All India Trinamool Congress” and the party’s traditional “flowers and grass” symbol for the October 6 bypolls, pending a final decision on the factional dispute.
According to the information provided by the poll panel, the Mamata Banerjee faction was allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol, while the rival faction led by Arup Roy was allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol.
The arrangement is interim and will remain in force until the Election Commission takes a final decision on the dispute.
Banerjee also spoke with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi before announcing her faction’s support for Pradhan, according to sources.
She said the move was aimed at strengthening opposition unity and called for the INDIA bloc to work together against the BJP.
In her remarks, Banerjee also criticised the Election Commission’s decision concerning her faction’s party name and symbol, describing the development as politically motivated. Those were her allegations and have not been established as fact.
She said her faction would support the Congress in Nandigram, while a decision on the Rejinagar bypoll would be taken later. She also said her faction would not contest the upcoming elections in Assam.
Pradhan’s arrest is linked to cases arising from the 2007 Nandigram anti-land acquisition movement. Reports said he had been named in multiple cases connected with the agitation.
The Congress has questioned the timing of the arrest, particularly because it followed Banerjee’s announcement of support for Pradhan.
Congress leaders have alleged that the arrest was politically motivated, while the reported police action is linked to an old case. The circumstances surrounding the arrest and the legal proceedings will be determined through the relevant judicial process.
The development has added further uncertainty to an already closely watched Nandigram bypoll, with the contest now shaped by candidate withdrawals, changes in party representation and the arrest of the Congress nominee.
