Congress candidate Milan Pradhan has been sent to judicial custody until October 3 in connection with pending cases from the 2007 Nandigram movement. This detention limits his campaigning window for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll scheduled for October 6. The development has further intensified the political contest in the constituency.
Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll, has been remanded to judicial custody until October 3. A court in Haldia issued the order, which significantly shortens the available campaign window ahead of the October 6 election. Unless his legal team secures relief from a higher court, the candidate may have only one day of active campaigning available before the official canvassing period concludes.
The court’s decision stems from multiple pending cases linked to the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in the region. According to police reports, these cases involve charges including rioting, attempted murder, and criminal intimidation, alongside offences under the Arms Act. Authorities have stated that this action is based on non-bailable warrants that were already active against the candidate. Pradhan’s legal representatives have disputed the prosecution's position and are expected to seek further legal remedies.
The timing of the arrest has sparked political debate. Recently, a political faction led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee decided to withdraw its own nominee and extend support to the Congress candidate in an effort to consolidate the contest against the BJP. Congress leaders have questioned the timing of the legal action, while the BJP has maintained that the arrest is a procedural step regarding long-standing criminal cases and should remain independent of the election schedule.
With the candidate in custody, the Congress party has indicated that it will continue its ground campaign through party workers and local leadership. For voters and political observers, the primary developments to track include any potential bail hearings in higher courts, the final campaign schedule, and the conduct of the bypoll on October 6. The outcome of this election is being monitored for its reflection of the current political sentiment in the region.