Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Nandigram Candidate Withdraws, Congress Nominee Arrested After Mamata’s Support
A candidate named Sanchita De Pradhan left the election contest in Nandigram after meeting Suvendu Adhikari.
Her withdrawal happened shortly before the deadline.
Mamata Banerjee then said her party would support Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
About an hour later, police arrested Milan in an old murder case.
The case was connected to a land protest from about two decades ago.
Opposition parties said the timing looked like an attempt to weaken their side.
Mamata also alleged that Sanchita and her family had been pressured, although she provided no evidence.
The BJP said the police arrest followed the law.
Sanchita De Pradhan withdrew from the Nandigram Assembly by-election after meeting BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.
Mamata Banerjee said her party would unconditionally support Congress nominee Milan Pradhan.
Police arrested Milan Pradhan in a murder case linked to the 2007 land-acquisition movement.
Opposition parties alleged the arrest and withdrawal reflected political intimidation and misuse of state machinery.
The BJP denied wrongdoing, saying police acted according to law.
- Who
- Sanchita De Pradhan, Milan Pradhan, Mamata Banerjee, Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP, Congress and other Opposition parties.
- What
- Sanchita withdrew from the Nandigram by-election, Mamata’s party backed Milan, and police then arrested Milan in an old murder case.
- When
- Sanchita withdrew on Friday before the nomination-withdrawal deadline; Milan was arrested within about an hour of Mamata’s support announcement. The by-election is scheduled for October 6.
- Where
- Nandigram and Haldia in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district.
- Why
- The stated reason for Sanchita’s withdrawal was not publicly explained. Opposition parties attributed the developments to political pressure, while the BJP said the arrest followed the law.
Opposition allegations
BJP and police position
Timing of the arrest
Opposition allegations
Congress, Trinamool Congress and CPM figures said Milan Pradhan’s arrest shortly after Mamata’s support announcement suggested a political conspiracy or an attempt to eliminate electoral competition.
BJP and police position
The BJP denied any political manipulation and said police acted in accordance with the law in the old murder case.
Sanchita De Pradhan’s withdrawal
Opposition allegations
Mamata Banerjee alleged that Sanchita was pressured, including alleged intimidation involving her mother and threats to kidnap her child, though she provided no evidence.
BJP and police position
No public explanation from Sanchita for her withdrawal was reported, and the BJP’s denial of wrongdoing covered the broader allegations of misuse of state machinery.
Effect on the election
Opposition allegations
Opposition parties argued that the developments could undermine fair competition in Suvendu Adhikari’s home turf and weaken Opposition politics.
BJP and police position
The BJP maintained that the legal process should proceed without being characterized as electoral interference.
- Election
- Nandigram Assembly by-election
- Polling date
- October 6
- Candidate withdrawal
- Sanchita De Pradhan formally withdrew after meeting Suvendu Adhikari.
- Opposition support
- Mamata Banerjee announced support for Congress nominee Milan Pradhan.
- Arrest
- Milan Pradhan was arrested in an old murder case linked to the Nandigram land movement.
- Political dispute
- Opposition parties alleged intimidation and misuse of state machinery; the BJP denied wrongdoing.