Political developments in West Bengal are changing rapidly ahead of the Nandigram by-election. Police have arrested Congress candidate Milan Pradhan. The arrest, which came within hours of Mamata Banerjee announcing her support for the Congress candidate in the October 6 Nandigram bypoll, has become a subject of debate.
Police have reportedly acted against Pradhan in connection with old murder cases, including one linked to the 2007 anti-land-acquisition movement in Nandigram. He is said to face more than a dozen cases, and police took him into custody from a hotel in Purba Medinipur.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal reacted to the arrest. He alleged that reopening a 19-year-old case immediately after Mamata Banerjee announced her support raises suspicion. It should be noted, however, that these remarks are political allegations made by Congress, and the official explanation from the investigating agencies on the details of the case will be the final basis.
In the Nandigram bypoll, the TMC camp led by Mamata Banerjee had initially fielded Sanchita Pradhan Dey as its candidate. She later withdrew her candidacy. Before that, she had attended a meeting held by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Afterwards, Mamata Banerjee announced that her camp would not field another candidate and declared her support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.