Milan Pradhan Arrested: Hours After Opposition Support, Congress Nandigram Candidate Held in Old Case
The Congress party’s candidate for the upcoming Nandigram assembly bypoll, Milan Pradhan, was arrested by West Bengal Police on Friday in connection with an old criminal case. Party leaders claimed the action stems from charges linked to historic local agitation and anti-land acquisition protests in the region.
The Congress party’s candidate for the upcoming Nandigram assembly bypoll, Milan Pradhan, was arrested by West Bengal Police on Friday in connection with an old criminal case. Party leaders claimed the action stems from charges linked to historic local agitation and anti-land acquisition protests in the region. The arrest occurred shortly after former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee pledged her faction’s support to Pradhan’s campaign. The move followed the withdrawal of her candidate, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, leaving the opposition coalition behind Pradhan as the main candidate challenging the ruling alliance.
According to local police officials, Pradhan was taken into custody under an outstanding warrant linked to a long-standing investigation. While state authorities cited standard legal procedure, Congress leadership termed the action political intimidation intended to disrupt campaign momentum ahead of the upcoming voting date. Why Mamata Banerjee Backed Congress Candidate in Nandigram Bypoll.
Nandigram has historically been a politically sensitive region in West Bengal. The area was the site of anti-land acquisition protests in 2007 that significantly reshaped the state's political landscape. Several legal cases originating from that period remain active or unresolved in local courts. ECI Allots New Names, Symbols to Rival TMC Factions: Mamata Banerjee Gets Football Player, Arup Roy Envelope.
Milan Pradhan Arrested in Connection with 2007 Protest Case
New Alert! Cong claims its candidate for Nandigram assembly bypoll, Milan Pradhan, arrested in connection with 2007 anti-land acquisition protest. pic.twitter.com/DpgozInqUp
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 18, 2026
Opposition leaders have condemned the timing of the arrest, raising questions over the sudden execution of a warrant from an older case just weeks before balloting begins. State authorities maintain that police acted in compliance with judicial orders and ongoing legal proceedings.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2026 07:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
