1 hr ago
Congress vows to retain Nandigram candidate after arrest
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested before an election in Nandigram, West Bengal.
Police said the arrest involved four old cases from a 2007 protest movement.
The alleged offences include rioting, murder and criminal intimidation.
Congress leaders say the arrest happened soon after Mamata Banerjee’s party supported Pradhan.
They believe the arrest may be intended to pressure him to leave the election.
Police have not been reported as making that allegation.
Congress says Pradhan will remain its candidate.
Pradhan was expected to appear in court in Haldia.
The party also planned a rally to protest his arrest.
Congress said it would not withdraw Milan Pradhan from the October 6 Nandigram Assembly bypoll.
Police said Pradhan was arrested in four 2007 cases involving rioting, murder and criminal intimidation.
Pradhan was arrested from a hotel in Chandipur, Purba Medinipur, on Friday evening.
K C Venugopal alleged the arrest followed Mamata Banerjee’s announcement supporting Pradhan.
Pradhan was due to appear before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in Haldia, while Congress planned a protest rally.
- Who
- Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested; Congress general secretary K C Venugopal and state Congress leaders opposed the arrest.
- What
- Pradhan was arrested in four cases linked to the 2007 Nandigram anti-land acquisition movement, while Congress said it would keep him as its candidate.
- Where
- He was arrested at a hotel in Chandipur, in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district, and was to appear before a court in Haldia.
- When
- Pradhan was arrested on Friday evening and was due in court on Saturday; the bypoll is scheduled for October 6.
- Why
- Police cited four 2007 cases involving rioting, murder and criminal intimidation; Congress alleged the arrest was intended to pressure Pradhan to withdraw.
Congress allegations
Police account
Reason and timing of arrest
Congress allegations
Congress leaders alleged that Pradhan was arrested shortly after Mamata Banerjee announced support for him and that police were pressuring him to withdraw by offering to drop cases and provide other facilities.
Police account
Police said Pradhan was arrested in four cases registered in 2007 involving rioting, murder and criminal intimidation; the articles do not report police confirming Congress’s allegation of pressure.
Arrest during the election period
Congress allegations
Congress questioned how a candidate could be arrested while the model code of conduct was in force and alleged that the Election Commission remained silent.
Police account
The articles report the police arrest and planned court appearance but do not provide an Election Commission response to Congress’s objections.
Scope of the legal cases
Congress allegations
Congress leaders described Pradhan as a prominent figure in the 2007 Nandigram movement and questioned why he was arrested now; party sources said he was named in more than 12 related cases.
Police account
Police specifically referred to four cases, including cases at Nandigram and Khejuri police stations, and said Pradhan would be produced before a magistrate.
Key facts
- Candidate
- Milan Pradhan
- Election
- Nandigram Assembly bypoll, scheduled for October 6
- Arrest location
- A hotel in Chandipur, Purba Medinipur district
- Cases cited by police
- Four cases registered in 2007 at Nandigram and Khejuri police stations
- Alleged offences
- Rioting, murder and criminal intimidation, under provisions of the IPC and Arms Act
- Court appearance
- Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Haldia
- Congress position
- The party said it would not withdraw Pradhan and would make the arrest a national issue
Quotes
K C Venugopal
AICC general secretary of the Congress
“Within an hour of Mamata Banerjee extending support to the Congress candidate, the police took that candidate into custody.”
telegraphindia.com
m.rediff.com
“The candidate explicitly told us, 'Even if you kill me, I will not withdraw.' I feel proud of that candidate”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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