Police has arrested Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in Nandigram assembly by-election. According to the report, he has been arrested in an old murder case. However, detailed information about the case has not been received from the police yet.
Let us tell you, after around 5.30 pm on Friday evening, Milan Pradhan was busy in door-to-door election campaign in the area adjacent to Reyapara of Nandigram Block No. 2. Meanwhile, the police arrested him.
Mamta Banerjee had announced support
Before her arrest, Mamata Banerjee had held a press conference on Friday itself, in which she announced her support to the Congress candidate. He linked it to the unity among the opposition parties. He said that we stand with the Indi alliance. He said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had spoken to him on phone and said that the opposition parties will fight the elections together.
#WATCH | Kolkata: Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, “…They do not know that I cannot leave All India Trinamool Congress. It will always be with me until I leave this world…Absolutely dirty game but we are also ready to fight it out. I want the BJP to go from India.… pic.twitter.com/dZfmzgVjAi
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2026
Mamta faction's candidate withdrew her name
Mamata Banerjee's faction had fielded Sanchita Pradhan Dey as its candidate in the Nandigram by-election and Sanchita withdrew her nomination. Before withdrawing his name, he had met Bengal Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari in Nabanna. Her husband Satyajeet was also present with her. After withdrawal of Sanchita's nomination, Mamata was left with no option to field a new candidate from Nandigram as the deadline for withdrawal of nomination had expired, due to which Mamata has announced to support the Congress candidate.
Today is a dark day for democracy
In the press conference he said that we do not disrespect the constitutional post. We feel that today is a dark day in our democratic history. He further said that whatever is happening in our country is very unfortunate, unconstitutional, illegal and undemocratic. This biased action has been taken just to satisfy the ego of one political party. Those people had already said that neither the name nor the mark will remain. Who are these people after all? Those who are in power today will not be in power tomorrow. They should understand their limits.
#WATCH | Mamata Banerjee says, “…We don't disrespect the Constitutional Chair, but we feel today is a black day in our democratic history. What is happening in our country is very unfortunate, unconstitutional, illegal, undemocratic and a totally biased vendetta to satisfy the… https://t.co/pB3ruoPj79pic.twitter.com/wuPnWMSdaL
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2026
Both factions of TMC got new names and election symbols
The tussle over the traditional name continues between the two factions of TMC in Bengal. Both the parties are blaming each other. Meanwhile, regarding the Nandigram by-election, the Election Commission has banned the traditional name and election symbol of TMC and allotted new names and symbols to both the groups. The Election Commission has named Mamata's faction as Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and has allotted 'football player' as its election symbol. Apart from this, the Commission has allotted the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' to Ritabrata Banerjee's faction as 'Envelope' election symbol.
Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress allotted the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the symbol 'Football Player', to be treated as a recognized political party in the States of West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura.
The group led by Arup Roy is allotted the name… pic.twitter.com/1VECH6MoUK
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2026
Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress allotted the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the symbol 'Football Player', to be treated as a recognized political party in the States of West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura.
The group led by Arup Roy is allotted the name… pic.twitter.com/1VECH6MoUK
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2026