Nandigram: Political tensions have escalated in West Bengal’s Nandigram constituency ahead of the upcoming Assembly by-election, following the arrest of Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in connection with an old criminal case. The arrest, coming amid rapidly changing political equations in the constituency, has triggered strong reactions from Congress leaders, who have alleged political interference and questioned the timing of the police action.
The political situation in Nandigram took a significant turn after Trinamool Congress candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew from the electoral contest. Following her withdrawal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan. Soon afterward, Pradhan was arrested in connection with a case dating back to the 2007 Nandigram agitation.
The timing of the arrest has prompted Congress leaders to allege that the action was politically motivated. Congress MP Imran Masood strongly criticised the BJP, claiming that political institutions were being used against opposition candidates. Masood alleged that the BJP was apprehensive about the electoral contest in Nandigram and was therefore resorting to various measures against its political opponents.
Masood also levelled serious allegations against the Election Commission, claiming that the constitutional body had been “turned into a puppet” and was being used according to the convenience of those in power. His comments formed part of a broader Congress attack on the circumstances surrounding Pradhan’s arrest.
West Bengal Congress in-charge Prakash Joshi also questioned the timing and circumstances of the police action. He specifically targeted BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, alleging that Pradhan’s political influence in Nandigram had caused concern within the BJP camp.
According to Joshi, Milan Pradhan had played a prominent role in the 2007 Nandigram movement against land acquisition. The agitation became a major political event in West Bengal and had far-reaching consequences for the state’s political landscape. Joshi argued that Pradhan’s association with the movement had given him considerable influence among sections of the local population.
The Congress leader further alleged that the revival of the old case was part of a deliberate political strategy to prevent Pradhan from effectively contesting the by-election. According to Joshi, the case originated during the period of the Nandigram protests and was being pursued again because of the current electoral situation.
Joshi additionally claimed that Pradhan had faced pressure before his arrest to withdraw his nomination from the by-election. He alleged that efforts were made to persuade or induce the Congress candidate to leave the contest and that legal action followed after Pradhan refused to do so. These allegations have been made by Congress leaders and would require independent corroboration.
According to police sources, Milan Pradhan was arrested on Friday evening in connection with an old murder case linked to the 2007 Nandigram anti-land acquisition agitation. Police sources said that an arrest warrant had previously been issued against him in the case.
The arrest has added another layer of controversy to an already politically charged by-election. With the Congress questioning the timing of the action and alleging political interference, the case has moved to the centre of the campaign debate in Nandigram.
The developments surrounding Pradhan’s arrest are also likely to keep attention focused on the political legacy of the 2007 Nandigram agitation, which remains an important chapter in West Bengal politics. As campaigning continues, the circumstances of the arrest, the status of the old criminal case and the competing claims made by political parties are expected to remain major issues in the constituency.
