Kolkata, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A war of words has broken out on social media between Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Trinamool Congress rebel faction leader Ritabrata Banerjee over the arrest of Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district.
Pradhan was arrested on Friday evening in connection with old murder cases dating back to 2007, hours after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced support for his candidature following the withdrawal of Sanchita Dey Pradhan, the candidate of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress.
Gandhi, reacting to the arrest on social media on Friday night, alleged that the action amounted to “political revenge” and described it as an attack on democracy.
“The BJP has no faith in fair elections—that’s why it wants to cling to power sometimes through vote theft, sometimes through stealing governments, and sometimes through stealing parties. They don’t want to contest elections; they want to end the electoral fight altogether. The Congress will neither fear nor bow down. We will fight—and we will win,” Gandhi said.
Banerjee responded about an hour later, saying the arrest followed a complaint filed by the faction led by him. He alleged that Pradhan has three murder cases pending against him and that warrants in such cases have to be executed during elections.
“We, the Democratic Trinamool Congress, have lodged a complaint against Milan Pradhan, who has three murder cases pending against him. During elections it’s mandatory to execute the warrant. The State Cong Leadership probably has not intimated the actual details to Sri @RahulGandhi,” Banerjee said in his social media post.
The arrest has triggered a political controversy because of its timing, coming shortly after Mamata Banerjee’s announcement backing Pradhan. Reports said the cases relate to the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram.
The developments came amid a major change in the electoral identities of the rival Trinamool factions. The Election Commission on Friday allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol to the faction led by Mamata Banerjee. The rival faction was allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol.
The poll panel had earlier frozen the use of the “All India Trinamool Congress” name and the “Flowers and Grass” symbol by the rival factions amid their dispute over the party’s identity. The new arrangements apply to the upcoming bypolls, including Nandigram.
The Nandigram bypoll has consequently emerged as a closely watched contest, with the arrest of the Congress candidate adding another layer to the political developments surrounding the seat.
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