Mamata throws weight behind Congress in Nandigram; candidate arrested hours later

KOLKATA: Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, who is contesting the Nandigram Assembly bypoll scheduled for October 6, has been arrested by police in connection with an old murder case linked to the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram. The arrest came just hours after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced her support for Pradhan's candidature.

Mamata announced her decision at a press conference at her residence in Kalighat on Friday. Her announcement came after Sanchita Pradhan Dey, who had been fielded by Mamata Banerjee's faction, withdrew from the contest following a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Describing the Congress as a “sister party”, Mamata said her decision to support the Congress candidate was aimed at strengthening the INDIA bloc.

The 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram was a significant episode in Mamata Banerjee's political career. The movement helped the Trinamool Congress build its campaign against the Left Front, which had ruled West Bengal for 34 years.
The Trinamool Congress, which came to power in 2011, lost the West Bengal Assembly election held this year to the BJP.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the Trinamool Congress had not sought support from his party. He said Mamata was free to extend her support.
“She is a political leader. She can say anything. She had fielded a candidate. But since her candidate withdrew, she is supporting us. We did not seek her support,” Chowdhury said.