Congress accuses BJP of hijacking democracy after Nandigram candidate’s arrest

West Bengal’s political atmosphere grew tense on Friday when Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal took to X to lambast the BJP, accusing it of "hijacking democracy" after the party’s Nandigram by‑poll candidate Milan Pradhan was taken into police custody.

According to Venugopal, the arrest was based on a "dormant" case from 2007 – a legal filing that had lain quiet for nearly two decades. He stressed that the police swooped in just minutes after Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee publicly declared her support for Pradhan, suggesting a calculated attempt to derail the opposition’s campaign.

"Democracy is on a ventilator in the BJP’s West Bengal," Venugopal wrote, adding that the move was an effort to turn India’s constitutional framework into a "Banana Republic." He promised that the Congress would not be cowed, reminding listeners of the party’s historic fight against colonial rule.

State Congress president Shubhankar Sarkar offered a more measured update. He said the police had arrived at the hotel in Chandipur where Pradhan was staying, escorted the candidate away, but had not yet presented a formal arrest document. Sarkar noted that both the Chandipur and Nandigram police stations claimed ignorance of the incident.

In response, the Congress has filed a complaint with the Election Commission and signalled plans to approach the High Court, demanding clarity on Pradhan’s whereabouts and the legal basis for his detention.

Banerjee’s endorsement of Pradhan was framed as a gesture of solidarity among “sister parties” within the INDIA alliance, aimed at preventing the BJP from sweeping the October 6 Nandigram assembly by‑poll. The BJP, meanwhile, has fielded Hasirani Rath, while the CPI’s candidate is Shanti Gopal Giri.

The episode underscores the fierce battle lines being drawn ahead of the election, with each side accusing the other of undermining the democratic process.