Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday (Sep 18) condemned the arrest of the party’s Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan as “political revenge” and the “murder of democracy,” while West Bengal Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee said his Democratic Trinamool Congress had lodged a complaint against Pradhan, who faces three pending murder cases, stressing that warrants must be executed during elections. &nbsp;Pradhan was taken into custody hours after former chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced support for the Congress nominee following the withdrawal of her faction’s candidate.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gandhi accused the BJP of lacking faith in fair polls and seeking to cling to power through “vote theft,” “stealing governments” and “stealing parties,” vowing that Congress “will neither fear nor bow down” and “will fight—and we will win.” Banerjee countered that state Congress leaders had likely not shared the full details of the cases with Gandhi.&nbsp;Banerjee said the timing of the arrest "raises serious questions" and called it "the usual BJP formula: dig out an old case." She added: "Minutes after we extended our support to the Congress candidate for the bypoll in Nandigram, the Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested."&nbsp;Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal said "democracy is on ventilator in BJP's West Bengal" and accused the BJP of "using a dormant 19-year-old case from 2007 to arrest our candidate." He said the move showed the party "will go to any lengths to hijack democracy."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-claims-nandigram-candidate-milan-pradhan-arrested-hours-after-mamata-backs-him-1789741989508/amp">Hours after Mamata backs Congress in Nandigram, its candidate is arrested; her own nominee had quit after meeting CM</a>&nbsp;Former Lok Sabha Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called the arrest "astonishing" and questioned why Pradhan was not detained when he filed his nomination and took the oath before the returning officer. "BJP got scared and out of desperation, it arrested him," he said, alleging BJP influence over the Election Commission. State Congress president Subhankar Sarkar questioned Pradhan's whereabouts, saying an EC official claimed to be unaware of the arrest. He said the party would hold a "Nandigram Chalo" protest.&nbsp;Pradesh Congress secretary Subhashis Bhattacharya, who was also taken into custody, alleged that police forcibly removed Pradhan from a house in Chandipur, accompanied by a BJP person. Bhattacharya said he was asleep when he heard Pradhan shouting for help. He argued with the police for about 15 minutes, saying Pradhan was a party candidate and worker, before he too was detained, he claimed.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-fields-hasirani-rath-mother-of-slain-aide-chandranath-rath-as-candidate-from-nandigram-for-october-6-bypoll-1789455982325">BJP fields Hasirani Rath, mother of slain aide Chandranath Rath, as candidate from Nandigram for October 6 bypoll</a> Speaking to ANI, he alleged that the two were then driven in separate vehicles towards Mandarmani, that he was made to keep his eyes closed, and that at a resort he was told to persuade Pradhan to withdraw his nomination. Bhattacharya said he refused, adding that authorities "can impose UAPA on both of us."&nbsp;A senior police officer described the action as a routine review of old warrants unrelated to the bypoll. Congress has said it will approach the High Court and the Election Commission. The arrest does not by itself disqualify Pradhan, though custody could hinder his campaign. Voting is on 6 October. &nbsp;

Political row erupts over the arrest of Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in the Nandigram bypoll. While Congress alleges political vendetta, rival Trinamool leaders demand the execution of pending warrants. 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday (Sep 18) condemned the arrest of the party’s Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan as “political revenge” and the “murder of democracy,” while West Bengal Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee said his Democratic Trinamool Congress had lodged a complaint against Pradhan, who faces three pending murder cases, stressing that warrants must be executed during elections. Pradhan was taken into custody hours after former chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced support for the Congress nominee following the withdrawal of her faction’s candidate. Gandhi accused the BJP of lacking faith in fair polls and seeking to cling to power through “vote theft,” “stealing governments” and “stealing parties,” vowing that Congress “will neither fear nor bow down” and “will fight—and we will win.” Banerjee countered that state Congress leaders had likely not shared the full details of the cases with Gandhi. Banerjee said the timing of the arrest "raises serious questions" and called it "the usual BJP formula: dig out an old case." She added: "Minutes after we extended our support to the Congress candidate for the bypoll in Nandigram, the Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested." Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal said "democracy is on ventilator in BJP's West Bengal" and accused the BJP of "using a dormant 19-year-old case from 2007 to arrest our candidate." He said the move showed the party "will go to any lengths to hijack democracy." Also read: Hours after Mamata backs Congress in Nandigram, its candidate is arrested; her own nominee had quit after meeting CM Former Lok Sabha Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called the arrest "astonishing" and questioned why Pradhan was not detained when he filed his nomination and took the oath before the returning officer. "BJP got scared and out of desperation, it arrested him," he said, alleging BJP influence over the Election Commission. State Congress president Subhankar Sarkar questioned Pradhan's whereabouts, saying an EC official claimed to be unaware of the arrest. He said the party would hold a "Nandigram Chalo" protest. Pradesh Congress secretary Subhashis Bhattacharya, who was also taken into custody, alleged that police forcibly removed Pradhan from a house in Chandipur, accompanied by a BJP person. Bhattacharya said he was asleep when he heard Pradhan shouting for help. He argued with the police for about 15 minutes, saying Pradhan was a party candidate and worker, before he too was detained, he claimed. Also read: BJP fields Hasirani Rath, mother of slain aide Chandranath Rath, as candidate from Nandigram for October 6 bypoll Speaking to ANI, he alleged that the two were then driven in separate vehicles towards Mandarmani, that he was made to keep his eyes closed, and that at a resort he was told to persuade Pradhan to withdraw his nomination. Bhattacharya said he refused, adding that authorities "can impose UAPA on both of us." A senior police officer described the action as a routine review of old warrants unrelated to the bypoll. Congress has said it will approach the High Court and the Election Commission. The arrest does not by itself disqualify Pradhan, though custody could hinder his campaign. Voting is on 6 October.

Political row erupts over the arrest of Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in the Nandigram bypoll. While Congress alleges political vendetta, rival Trinamool leaders demand the execution of pending warrants.

Nandigram arrest row: Congress cries vendetta, rival Trinamool says warrants "must be executed"

Hours after Mamata Banerjee extended her support to Congress in Nandigram, the party's bypoll candidate, Milan Pradhan, was arrested on Friday in an old murder case. The same day, her own candidate, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, had withdrawn from the race after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, leaving her camp without a nominee. West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) president Subhankar Sarkar called the arrest proof that the BJP is pushing for "one-party rule" in the state.&nbsp;Speaking to reporters on Friday, Sarkar said Pradhan had raised concerns just before his arrest. "Milan Pradhan had said that an atmosphere of fear was being created," Sarkar said. "Fifteen minutes after that phone conversation, he was arrested. When asked why he was arrested, no reason was given."Sarkar said Congress leader Tata Bhattacharya was also taken into custody. He said he had warned police in advance. "The day before yesterday, I told the IC not to obstruct our campaign," he said. "This same IC was in place in 2021 as well."&nbsp;He said the party could get no answers about the arrests. "Every police station says 'we don't know.' No police officer can say, and even the Commission cannot say."&nbsp;Sarkar accused the BJP of working toward a single-party system. "The BJP says 'One Nation, One Vote.' So will there be only one political party?" he asked. "We will go to the High Court."&nbsp;He also targeted the Chief Minister over the bypoll. "This is the first election they have to face since the Assembly election, and they want to loot votes," Sarkar said. "When he was Leader of Opposition, he used to say Trinamool was looting votes. What is this?"&nbsp;Turning to the Election Commission's decision to split the Trinamool Congress, Sarkar questioned its role. "We want to ask the BJP and the Election Commission: what was the Commission's role in the matter of registration and the symbol?" he said. "Just as the Commission helped earlier in vote theft, it has now helped in symbol theft." Sarkar announced a programme of agitation. "We will go to court tomorrow. From tomorrow,&nbsp; Congress will hold protests in front of every police station. After that, we will give a call for 'Nandigram Chalo'," he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/inside-tata-sons-boardroom-battle-chandra-s-return-listing-and-noel-tata-s-objection-1789738087203">Inside Tata Sons’ boardroom battle: Chandra’s return, listing and Noel Tata’s objection</a><h2>Background</h2>Sanchita Pradhan Dey, fielded by the Mamata faction, met Adhikari at Nabanna on Friday and then withdrew her nomination. Banerjee then announced her faction would back Congress in Nandigram instead of fielding another candidate. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the party had not asked for her support.&nbsp;An East Midnapore district police official said Pradhan is accused in an old murder case linked to the 2007 Nandigram violence and that a warrant had already been issued against him. The BJP's East Midnapore unit rejected the allegation of political motive and said the party had no connection with the arrest.&nbsp;The Election Commission also split the Trinamool Congress into two factions on Friday, assigning each a new name and symbol. The Mamata faction will contest as the "Mamata All India Trinamool Congress," and the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee as the "Democratic Trinamool Congress."&nbsp;Nandigram, one of the two seats Adhikari won in the 2026 Assembly elections, goes to a bypoll on October 6 along with Rejinagar. Counting is scheduled for Oct 9.&nbsp;

Congress claimed that Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested hours after Mamata Banerjee announced her faction’s support for him and the Congress candidate.

Hours after Mamata Banerjee extended her support to Congress in Nandigram, the party's bypoll candidate, Milan Pradhan, was arrested on Friday in an old murder case. The same day, her own candidate, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, had withdrawn from the race after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, leaving her camp without a nominee. West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) president Subhankar Sarkar called the arrest proof that the BJP is pushing for "one-party rule" in the state. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Sarkar said Pradhan had raised concerns just before his arrest. "Milan Pradhan had said that an atmosphere of fear was being created," Sarkar said. "Fifteen minutes after that phone conversation, he was arrested. When asked why he was arrested, no reason was given." Sarkar said Congress leader Tata Bhattacharya was also taken into custody. He said he had warned police in advance. "The day before yesterday, I told the IC not to obstruct our campaign," he said. "This same IC was in place in 2021 as well." He said the party could get no answers about the arrests. "Every police station says 'we don't know.' No police officer can say, and even the Commission cannot say." Sarkar accused the BJP of working toward a single-party system. "The BJP says 'One Nation, One Vote.' So will there be only one political party?" he asked. "We will go to the High Court." He also targeted the Chief Minister over the bypoll. "This is the first election they have to face since the Assembly election, and they want to loot votes," Sarkar said. "When he was Leader of Opposition, he used to say Trinamool was looting votes. What is this?" Turning to the Election Commission's decision to split the Trinamool Congress, Sarkar questioned its role. "We want to ask the BJP and the Election Commission: what was the Commission's role in the matter of registration and the symbol?" he said. "Just as the Commission helped earlier in vote theft, it has now helped in symbol theft." Sarkar announced a programme of agitation. "We will go to court tomorrow. From tomorrow, Congress will hold protests in front of every police station. After that, we will give a call for 'Nandigram Chalo'," he said. Also Read: Inside Tata Sons’ boardroom battle: Chandra’s return, listing and Noel Tata’s objection Background Sanchita Pradhan Dey, fielded by the Mamata faction, met Adhikari at Nabanna on Friday and then withdrew her nomination. Banerjee then announced her faction would back Congress in Nandigram instead of fielding another candidate. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the party had not asked for her support. An East Midnapore district police official said Pradhan is accused in an old murder case linked to the 2007 Nandigram violence and that a warrant had already been issued against him. The BJP's East Midnapore unit rejected the allegation of political motive and said the party had no connection with the arrest. The Election Commission also split the Trinamool Congress into two factions on Friday, assigning each a new name and symbol. The Mamata faction will contest as the "Mamata All India Trinamool Congress," and the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee as the "Democratic Trinamool Congress." Nandigram, one of the two seats Adhikari won in the 2026 Assembly elections, goes to a bypoll on October 6 along with Rejinagar. Counting is scheduled for Oct 9.

Congress claimed that Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested hours after Mamata Banerjee announced her faction’s support for him and the Congress candidate.

Hours after Mamata backs Congress in Nandigram, its candidate is arrested; her own nominee had quit after meeting CM

The Bharatiya Janata Party has named Hasirani Rath as its candidate for the Nandigram Assembly by-election in West Bengal, scheduled for October 6, 2026. She is the mother of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant and close aide to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who was shot dead in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, on the night of May 6, 2026—just two days after the assembly election results.&nbsp;Hasirani Rath, a five-time winner of panchayat and panchayat samiti elections and a former Trinamool Congress worker who later joined the BJP along with her family when Adhikari switched parties, expressed readiness and happiness at being given the responsibility. Reports indicate she is set to file her nomination, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expected to be present. She has described Adhikari as the “guardian” of her family since her son’s death and stated she would accept any responsibility entrusted by the party leadership with full devotion.&nbsp;Chandranath Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur, served as Adhikari’s trusted executive assistant and was involved in organisational and election-related work. His killing, carried out in a planned ambush involving motorcycle-borne assailants and a blocking vehicle, sparked a major political controversy. Hasirani Rath had publicly alleged it was political revenge linked to Adhikari’s victories (including against Mamata Banerjee), while the CBI later filed a chargesheet alleging a multi-state conspiracy involving contract killers.&nbsp;The Nandigram seat fell vacant after Suvendu Adhikari, who won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, chose to retain Bhabanipur (where he defeated Mamata Banerjee) and resigned from Nandigram. He had previously defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 by a narrow margin. Polling for the bypoll (along with Rejinagar) is on October 6, with counting on October 9. Nominations close around September 16.&nbsp;Rival factions of the Trinamool Congress have already named candidates: the Mamata Banerjee-led group has fielded Sanchita Pradhan (Dey), while the Ritabrata Banerjee faction has nominated Mohammad Ehetash Mul Haque (or similar). Other parties, including Congress (Milan Pradhan) and CPI (Shanti Gopal Giri), have also announced nominees. The bypoll is seen as an early test amid TMC’s internal split over the party’s name and symbol.&nbsp;Political observers note a parallel with past Nandigram contests, where “martyr’s mother” figures have been fielded. Hasirani Rath’s candidacy is expected to highlight issues of post-poll violence and political retaliation in the high-profile constituency long associated with the Adhikari family and the 2007 land movement. &nbsp;

Chandranath Rath was a former Indian Air Force personnel from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur. He served as Adhikari’s trusted executive assistant and was involved in organisational and election-related work.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has named Hasirani Rath as its candidate for the Nandigram Assembly by-election in West Bengal, scheduled for October 6, 2026. She is the mother of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant and close aide to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who was shot dead in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, on the night of May 6, 2026—just two days after the assembly election results. Hasirani Rath, a five-time winner of panchayat and panchayat samiti elections and a former Trinamool Congress worker who later joined the BJP along with her family when Adhikari switched parties, expressed readiness and happiness at being given the responsibility. Reports indicate she is set to file her nomination, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expected to be present. She has described Adhikari as the “guardian” of her family since her son’s death and stated she would accept any responsibility entrusted by the party leadership with full devotion. Chandranath Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur, served as Adhikari’s trusted executive assistant and was involved in organisational and election-related work. His killing, carried out in a planned ambush involving motorcycle-borne assailants and a blocking vehicle, sparked a major political controversy. Hasirani Rath had publicly alleged it was political revenge linked to Adhikari’s victories (including against Mamata Banerjee), while the CBI later filed a chargesheet alleging a multi-state conspiracy involving contract killers. The Nandigram seat fell vacant after Suvendu Adhikari, who won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, chose to retain Bhabanipur (where he defeated Mamata Banerjee) and resigned from Nandigram. He had previously defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 by a narrow margin. Polling for the bypoll (along with Rejinagar) is on October 6, with counting on October 9. Nominations close around September 16. Rival factions of the Trinamool Congress have already named candidates: the Mamata Banerjee-led group has fielded Sanchita Pradhan (Dey), while the Ritabrata Banerjee faction has nominated Mohammad Ehetash Mul Haque (or similar). Other parties, including Congress (Milan Pradhan) and CPI (Shanti Gopal Giri), have also announced nominees. The bypoll is seen as an early test amid TMC’s internal split over the party’s name and symbol. Political observers note a parallel with past Nandigram contests, where “martyr’s mother” figures have been fielded. Hasirani Rath’s candidacy is expected to highlight issues of post-poll violence and political retaliation in the high-profile constituency long associated with the Adhikari family and the 2007 land movement.

Chandranath Rath was a former Indian Air Force personnel from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur. He served as Adhikari’s trusted executive assistant and was involved in organisational and election-related work.

BJP fields Hasirani Rath, mother of slain aide Chandranath Rath, as candidate from Nandigram for October 6 bypoll

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Nandigram arrest row: Congress cries vendetta, rival Trinamool says warrants "must be executed"

Hours after Mamata backs Congress in Nandigram, its candidate is arrested

BJP fields mother of slain aide Chandranath Rath, as candidate from Nandigram