# Nandigram by-election political developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nandigram-by-election-political-developments > Updated: 2026-09-23T05:51:56.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 5. Political activity in West Bengal has intensified surrounding by-elections in the Nandigram and Rezinnagar constituencies, scheduled for October 6. These elections were triggered by the resignations of incumbents Shubhendu Adhikari and Humayun Kabir. In Nandigram, the electoral process is complicated by internal party divisions and an Election Commission of India (ECI) order prohibiting rival factions from using the ‘All India Trinamool Congress’ name or its ‘twin-flowers-on-grass’ symbol. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction was assigned the name ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ with a ‘Football Player’ symbol, while the Arup Roy-led faction was assigned the name ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ with an ‘Envelope’ symbol. Mamata Banerjee has approached the Supreme Court to challenge this decision, describing it as a “black day” for democracy. Following a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the candidate representing the Mamata Banerjee-led faction, withdrew her nomination. In response, Mamata Banerjee announced her faction would support the Congress candidate, Milan Pradhan, to strengthen the ‘INDIA’ bloc. Volatility escalated following the arrest of Milan Pradhan and election in-charge Subhashish Bhattacharya. Authorities stated Pradhan was arrested in connection with four pending non-bailable warrants related to serious charges, including murder, rioting, and abduction, stemming from the 2007 Nandigram anti-land acquisition protests. Pradhan has been in judicial custody since his arrest. The West Bengal Congress has since approached the Calcutta High Court seeking urgent bail for Pradhan, requesting a hearing before Justice Tirthankar Ghosh due to the upcoming October 6 election date. Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has demanded the cancellation of BJP candidate Hasirani Rath’s nomination, alleging discrepancies in her affidavit regarding her age and educational history. Legal disputes have now reached the Calcutta High Court regarding both major candidates. ## Claims - Mamata Banerjee announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan after TMC candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Milan Pradhan was arrested in connection with an old murder case from the 2007 Nandigram movement. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The Nandigram assembly by-election is scheduled for October 6. (corroborated by 6 sources) - TMC candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew her nomination following a meeting with Suvendu Adhikari. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The arrest of Milan Pradhan is an act of political vendetta. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Election Commission issued an interim decision regarding the use of the TMC name and symbol. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Milan Pradhan was arrested based on four pending non-bailable warrants. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The charges against Pradhan include murder, attempt to murder, abduction, rioting, and disappearance of evidence. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Milan Pradhan was sent to judicial custody until October 3. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Congress election in-charge Subhashish Bhattacharya was also taken into custody. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-23: Milan Pradhan seeks bail from Calcutta High Court Congress candidate Milan Pradhan has sought bail from the Calcutta High Court ahead of the October 6 Nandigram by-election following his arrest in connection with older criminal cases. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/milan-pradhan-seeks-bail-from-calcutta-high-court ### 2026-09-23: Nandigram by-election faces legal disputes over candidates Legal challenges have surfaced in the Nandigram by-election, with disputes over BJP candidate Hasirani Rath's affidavit and court rulings regarding the eligibility of jailed Congress candidate Milan Pradhan. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nandigram-by-election-faces-legal-disputes-over-candidates ### 2026-09-20: Mamata Banerjee backs Congress candidate in Nandigram by-election Mamata Banerjee has backed Congress candidate Milan Pradhan for the Nandigram by-election to strengthen the INDIA alliance, though Pradhan faces judicial custody amid old criminal charges. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mamata-banerjee-backs-congress-candidate-in-nandigram-by-election ### 2026-09-18: Milan Pradhan arrested ahead of Nandigram by-election Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested in connection with 2007 murder cases ahead of the Nandigram by-election. Congress alleges political vendetta, while the BJP cites legal warrants. 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nandigram-congress-candidate-milan-pradhan-detained-by-police ### 2026-09-14: Nandigram by-election: Trinamool Congress nominates Sanchita Pradhan Dey West Bengal politics heats up as the Trinamool Congress nominates former teacher Sanchita Pradhan Dey for the Nandigram by-election, following vacancies left by Shubhendu Adhikari. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nandigram-by-election-trinamool-congress-nominates-sanchita-pradhan-dey --- Cite as: Nandigram by-election political developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nandigram-by-election-political-developments