Congress questions timing of candidate’s arrest ahead of Nandigram bypoll

The Congress on Saturday (September 19, 2026) criticised the ruling BJP over the timing of the arrest of its candidate Milan Pradhan ahead of the Nandigram byelection in West Bengal, after former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her support to the party, saying the people will respond to such tactics at the right time.

Pawan Khera, head of the Congress’s media department, told PTI that it was a matter of concern that the West Bengal Police had arrested the party’s nominee when the cases against him were old.

“Why did the West Bengal Police arrest the Congress candidate now?” Mr. Khera asked. “When they suddenly came to know that former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had extended support to the Congress in the Nandigram bypoll, our candidate was arrested.”