Rahul Gandhi attacks BJP over Congress candidate Milan Pradhan's arrest in Nandigram bypoll

Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested on Friday in connection with four criminal cases pending against him, hours after he was nominated for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll scheduled for October 6, 2026. Pradhan had just received support from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a press conference.

Rahul Gandhi criticized the arrest as political revenge, claiming the BJP aimed to win the seat without genuine electoral competition. Gandhi alleged the party uses "vote theft" and "stealing governments" to retain power rather than contesting fairly. He asserted the Congress would neither fear nor retreat from the contest.

Pradhan faced charges in multiple criminal matters at the time of his nomination by the Congress Party.