BJP Faces Criticism Over Arrest of Nandigram Congress Candidate Days Before Byelection
· India · Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu
The Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC) have condemned the arrest of Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the Nandigram byelection in West Bengal, accusing the BJP of using a 19-year-old case to intimidate voters ahead of the October 6 poll. Mamata Banerjee criticized the timing, calling it the BJP’s ‘usual formula’ of reviving old cases to disrupt opposition campaigns. Pradhan’s arrest follows TMC’s decision to support the Congress after its candidate withdrew her nomination. The BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath, whose son was killed in May, adding to the political tensions in the region. The byelection, triggered by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari vacating his seat, has become a focal point for electoral maneuvering in West Bengal.
Why it matters
The Nandigram constituency’s voters and political parties are directly affected, as the arrest and timing of the case could influence voter sentiment and turnout. The controversy highlights broader concerns about electoral manipulation and the role of law enforcement in political campaigns.
Read the original report — Times of India
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