Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Sibal Alleges EC-BJP Nexus Amid West Bengal Bypoll Arrest
Kapil Sibal criticized how the West Bengal bypoll process unfolded.
He said the Election Commission was acting together with the BJP and government authorities.
The Election Commission had announced bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar.
Sibal said the Trinamool Congress symbol was frozen before one faction supported Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
Pradhan was arrested soon after that support was announced.
Sibal called the arrest a serious attack on democracy.
Police said Pradhan was wanted in at least four older criminal cases.
Another party leader was arrested for allegedly stopping police from apprehending him.
Kapil Sibal accused the Election Commission of coordinating with the BJP over West Bengal bypoll developments.
The Election Commission announced bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar on September 7, according to Sibal.
Sibal said the Election Commission froze the Trinamool Congress symbol on September 17 and that a party faction later backed Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
Pradhan was arrested on September 18 in connection with at least four cases related to the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement.
Police said the cases involved alleged rioting, murder and criminal intimidation; another party leader, Subhasish Bhattacharya, was also arrested.
- Who
- Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, the Election Commission of India, the BJP, the Trinamool Congress and West Bengal police.
- What
- Sibal accused the Election Commission of coordinating with the BJP and criticized Pradhan’s arrest during the bypoll process.
- When
- The bypolls were announced on September 7; the TMC symbol was reportedly frozen on September 17; support for Pradhan and his arrest were reported on September 18.
- Where
- Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal; Pradhan was arrested at a hotel in Chandipur, Purba Medinipur district.
- Why
- Sibal said the sequence undermined democracy and institutional accountability, while police said the arrest concerned alleged involvement in four criminal cases.
Sibal’s allegations
Police account and reported record
Meaning of Pradhan’s arrest
Sibal’s allegations
Sibal called the arrest a “murder of democracy” and said it showed a lack of institutional accountability.
Police account and reported record
Police said Pradhan was arrested over alleged involvement in at least four cases filed during the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement.
Election Commission conduct
Sibal’s allegations
Sibal alleged that the Election Commission delayed its decision on a TMC faction dispute and acted “hand in glove” with state and central powers.
Police account and reported record
The articles report Sibal’s allegations but do not include a direct response from the Election Commission.
Timing of events
Sibal’s allegations
Sibal emphasized that Pradhan was arrested shortly after Mamata Banerjee’s faction announced support for his candidacy.
Police account and reported record
Police described the arrest as connected to older cases and warrants issued in 2021 and 2023.
- Main accuser
- Kapil Sibal, an Independent Rajya Sabha MP
- Bypoll constituencies
- Nandigram and Rejinagar, West Bengal
- Bypoll announcement
- The Election Commission announced the bypolls on September 7
- Symbol decision
- Sibal said the Trinamool Congress symbol was frozen on September 17
- Candidate arrested
- Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested on September 18, according to police
- Criminal cases
- Police linked the arrest to at least four cases involving alleged rioting, murder and criminal intimidation
- Additional arrest
- Subhasish Bhattacharya was arrested for allegedly preventing police from apprehending Pradhan
