States » EastPosted at: Sep 28 2026 10:56PM


Bengal polls: Nandigram campaign turns into battle of two women

Nandigram, Sep 28 (UNI) The Nandigram bypoll campaign is increasingly boiling down to a fight between two women as BJP candidate Hasirani Rath seeks votes invoking her son's killing, while Arpita Pradhan has taken charge of the Congress campaign after her husband and party candidate Milan Pradhan was jailed in connection with cases dating back to the 2007 land agitation.
Rath, the mother of Chandranath Rath, a former aide of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari who was shot dead in Madhyamgram on May 6, has been campaigning across the constituency seeking support in the name of her slain son.
The BJP has projected Chandranath's killing as a major issue in the campaign. The case was initially investigated by the state police and an SIT before being transferred to the CBI.
The Congress, meanwhile, is taking its campaign to voters through Arpita after Milan Pradhan was arrested in connection with several old cases arising from the Nandigram agitation.
“I have faith in the law. The law never goes on the wrong path. I appeal to the people of Nandigram to prove what is right, because the entire household is dependent on him,” Arpita said while appealing for votes for her husband.
“My daughter’s studies are hampered because he is in jail in this false case. I appeal to the people of Nandigram to stand by him,” she said.
Questioning the timing of Milan's arrest, Arpita said: “He has been campaigning, he has been here during the pujas. We even went on a holiday three months ago. They didn’t arrest him then. Why did they arrest him now? Just because he is a Congress candidate?”
She said Milan would continue to contest despite being behind bars. “He will be in jail and contest. Vote for him in favour of the truth. Yes, he is a Congress worker, but he is the son of Nandigram,” she said.
Congress leaders have questioned why cases relating to the 2007 agitation were not withdrawn when several other cases connected with the movement were allegedly dropped.
The BJP, meanwhile, is banking on Rath's personal appeal as well as Adhikari's political influence in Nandigram. Rath has served as a panchayat member three times and has been campaigning across the constituency.
The campaign has also been complicated by the withdrawal of Sanchita Pradhan Dey, nominated by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool faction. After her withdrawal, Mamata Banerjee announced support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
The rival Trinamool faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee, however, has retained its candidate Mohammad Eteshamul Haque. The CPI has fielded Shantigopal Giri.
With Milan campaigning from behind bars and Rath seeking votes flagging the memory of her son's killing, the BJP-Congress contest has given the October 6 Nandigram bypoll a distinctly personal face.
The election follows Suvendu Adhikari's decision to vacate Nandigram after winning the seat in the 2026 Assembly election and retaining Bhabanipur. UNI BG NST CDS
Tags: #Bengal polls: Nandigram campaign turns into battle of two women
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