Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Nandigram Candidate Arrest Sparks Dispute Over Political Vendetta Claims
Milan Pradhan was chosen as the Congress candidate for an election in Nandigram.
Police arrested him before the election because courts had issued arrest warrants in older criminal cases.
The cases dated back to 2007, and three reportedly included murder charges.
Rahul Gandhi said the arrest was politically motivated and intended to help the BJP.
Another political leader, Ritabrata Banerjee, said his party had asked authorities to enforce the warrants.
He argued that the arrest was a legal step required during elections.
The article says the warrants were issued before the BJP came to power in West Bengal.
The election was scheduled for October 6, 2026.
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested on September 18, 2026, ahead of the Nandigram Assembly bypoll.
Police executed a pending arrest warrant linked to a 2007 Nandigram murder case.
Four arrest warrants were reportedly pending against Pradhan, with three cases including murder charges.
Rahul Gandhi called the arrest political revenge and accused the BJP of trying to avoid an electoral contest.
Ritabrata Banerjee said the Democratic Trinamool Congress had requested execution of the warrants during the election period.
- Who
- Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested; Rahul Gandhi criticized the action, while Ritabrata Banerjee defended the warrant’s execution.
- What
- Pradhan was arrested in connection with four pending criminal cases and arrest warrants, including three cases with murder charges.
- When
- The arrest occurred on September 18, 2026; the Nandigram Assembly bypoll was scheduled for October 6, 2026.
- Where
- The cases involved Nandigram Police Station and Kesuri Police Station in West Bengal.
- Why
- Police executed pending arrest warrants; the Democratic Trinamool Congress said it had requested their enforcement during the election period.
Political retaliation claim
Legal enforcement claim
Reason for the arrest
Political retaliation claim
Rahul Gandhi described the arrest as political revenge and alleged that the BJP wanted to weaken the election contest.
Legal enforcement claim
The article and Ritabrata Banerjee said police were executing long-pending warrants connected to criminal cases, rather than carrying out a politically motivated action.
Effect on the election
Political retaliation claim
Gandhi argued that the arrest was intended to help the BJP win the Nandigram seat without a fair contest.
Legal enforcement claim
Banerjee said the warrants had to be executed during the election period and that Pradhan’s criminal-case details may not have been communicated to Gandhi.
Timing of the warrants
Political retaliation claim
The arrest’s proximity to the bypoll led Gandhi to characterize it as suspicious and politically motivated.
Legal enforcement claim
The article notes that the cases dated to 2007 and the warrants were issued in 2021 and 2023, before the reported arrest.
- Candidate
- Milan Pradhan of the Congress
- Arrest date
- September 18, 2026
- Election
- Nandigram Assembly bypoll scheduled for October 6, 2026
- Pending warrants
- Four warrants were reportedly issued against Pradhan
- Case history
- The cases were registered in 2007; three included murder charges
- Warrant dates
- Three warrants were issued in 2021 and one in 2023
- Request for enforcement
- The Democratic Trinamool Congress said it lodged a complaint seeking execution of the warrants