Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Nandigram Bypoll Upended as TMC Candidate Quits, Congress Nominee Arrested
Nandigram is holding a special election on October 6.
Mamata Banerjee’s political group had chosen Sanchita Pradhan Dey as its candidate.
She withdrew after meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Banerjee then said her group would support Congress candidate Milan Pradhan instead.
Soon afterward, police arrested Pradhan in a case connected to events in Nandigram in 2007.
Congress said the arrest was meant to frighten or remove opposition candidates.
The BJP said the arrest was unrelated to politics and that police were following their duty.
The Election Commission also gave the two TMC factions different names and symbols.
These events have changed who may compete in the closely watched bypoll.
Mamata Banerjee’s faction withdrew its Nandigram candidate, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, after she met Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Banerjee then announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, citing the broader interests of the country and the INDIA bloc.
Pradhan was arrested hours later in a case linked to the 2007 Nandigram violence and anti-land-acquisition movement.
Congress leaders alleged political vendetta and intimidation, while the BJP said police were performing their duties without political interference.
The Nandigram Assembly bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with voting taking place amid a split in the Trinamool Congress and new party symbols.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee’s faction of the Trinamool Congress, Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the BJP, and rival TMC factions are involved.
- What
- The TMC candidate withdrew, Mamata Banerjee’s faction backed Congress, and Congress nominee Milan Pradhan was arrested in an old case.
- When
- The developments occurred on Friday, with the bypoll scheduled for October 6 and the withdrawal deadline on September 19.
- Where
- Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal; Pradhan was reportedly detained at a hotel in Chandipur.
- Why
- Banerjee said the support was intended to serve the country’s broader interests and strengthen the INDIA bloc; the reasons for Sanchita Pradhan Dey’s withdrawal were not stated.
Congress and Mamata-led faction
BJP and police position
Meaning of the arrest
Congress and Mamata-led faction
Congress leaders called the arrest politically motivated and said its timing, shortly after Mamata’s support announcement, showed an attempt to intimidate or eliminate opposition.
BJP and police position
The BJP rejected a political connection and said police were carrying out their duties in an old case for which a warrant had reportedly been issued.
State of the election
Congress and Mamata-led faction
Congress said the arrests and campaign restrictions were creating fear and moving West Bengal toward one-party rule; it announced protests and possible court action.
BJP and police position
The BJP said it was not concerned about which candidates remained in the race and claimed it would win Nandigram by a large margin.
Mamata faction’s Congress support
Congress and Mamata-led faction
Banerjee described Congress as a sister party and said backing Milan Pradhan would strengthen the INDIA bloc and serve the national interest.
BJP and police position
The rebel TMC faction criticized the decision as an opportunistic alliance with a party Banerjee’s group had long opposed in West Bengal.
- Bypoll date
- October 6
- Counting date
- October 9
- Congress candidate
- Milan Pradhan
- Withdrawn TMC candidate
- Sanchita Pradhan Dey
- Arrest case
- A case linked by reports to the 2007 Nandigram violence and anti-land-acquisition movement
- Mamata faction’s new name
- Mamata All India Trinamool Congress
- New symbols
- The Mamata faction received the Football Player symbol; the rival faction received the Envelope symbol
Sources
Congress candidate for Nandigram bye-poll arrested hours after Mamata extends support
Nandigram bypoll drama: TMC candidate quits, Congress pick arrested hours after Mamata faction’s backing
