The court on Saturday sent Congress candidate Milan Pradhan to 14-day judicial custody for the by-election to be held on Nandigram assembly seat in East Medinipur district of West Bengal. He was produced in the court after being arrested in an old murder case.
An officer of East Medinipur District Police said that an arrest warrant was already issued against Milan Pradhan in an old murder case. On the basis of this warrant, he was arrested on Friday and after being produced in the court on Saturday, he was sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
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 Pradhan's arrest on Friday, Mamata Banerjee had held a press conference 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.
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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 black day for democracy- Mamta
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
Nandigram seat became vacant due to this reason
Nandigram seat became vacant after the resignation of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath as its candidate, while Congress has fielded Milan Pradhan. Hasirani Rath is the mother of Suvendu Adhikari's personal assistant Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead in May.