# Nandigram By-Poll: With Candidate in Jail, Wife Arpita Takes Charge of Congress Campaign and Appeals for Justice > As Congress candidate Milan Pradhan remains incarcerated ahead of the Nandigram by-election, his wife Arpita Pradhan has stepped in to lead the campaign alongside senior party leaders, making an emotional appeal to voters. **Type:** article · **Category:** West Bengal · **Published:** 2026-09-26 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/west-bengal/nandigram-upachunava-jela-men-bnda-congress-pratyashi-milan-pradhan-ki-patni-arpita-ne-snbhala-morcha-pati-ke-lie-manga-insapha-au-38903 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Nandigram By-Election, Milan Pradhan, Arpita Pradhan, Shubhankar Sarkar, West Bengal Politics, Congress Campaign In the run-up to the highly anticipated Nandigram assembly by-election, a unique and emotionally charged political battle is unfolding on the ground. With the official Congress candidate, Milan Pradhan, currently lodged in jail, his wife Arpita Pradhan has stepped forward to spearhead the electoral campaign. The situation has galvanized local party workers and created a wave of sympathy, turning the election into a fight over justice and political vendetta in this historically significant constituency of West Bengal. ## A Show of Solidarity on the Streets of Nandigram To express solidarity and mobilize voters, the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee President, Shubhankar Sarkar, led a massive campaign march through the streets of Nandigram on Friday. Accompanied by several senior leaders and enthusiastic party workers, the march sought to draw public attention to what the party terms as the unjust incarceration of their candidate. This demonstration of strength followed a ruling from the High Court concerning Milan Pradhan's detention and the ongoing electoral proceedings, adding legal weight to the political narrative. Marching alongside the state leadership, Arpita Pradhan personally interacted with voters, pleading for their support to vindicate her husband. ## Arpita Pradhan Alleges Conspiracy and Political Vendetta Speaking passionately during the campaign trail, Arpita Pradhan shared insights into her husband's long-standing political journey. She emphasized that Milan Pradhan’s association with the Congress party dates back to his student days in college, driven by genuine ideological commitment rather than opportunism. Arpita alleged that his arrest on what she described as fabricated charges was a deliberate conspiracy orchestrated by political opponents to sideline him from the active contest. She expressed her deep emotional distress, stating that her mental peace has been completely shattered by these developments, yet she feels compelled to fight on behalf of her husband. ## Echoes of the Historic Nandigram Land Movement Arpita also pointed out the stark contrast between Milan Pradhan's loyalty and the actions of his peers. She noted that while many of his former associates and friends abandoned their political principles and switched allegiances to wealthier or more powerful parties for financial gain, Milan remained steadfast. According to her, his decision to contest the assembly seat on a Congress ticket made him a target. She asserted that the sole objective behind placing him behind bars just before the polls was to prevent him from communicating with the electorate and presenting his vision for Nandigram. The campaign has also revived memories of Nandigram’s historic anti-land acquisition movement, a critical turning point in West Bengal’s modern political history. Arpita highlighted that Milan Pradhan was at the very forefront of those protests, actively resisting the forced acquisition of fertile agricultural land. During that tumultuous period, numerous cases were slapped against him and his fellow activists. She noted with bitterness that while many of those who participated in the movement went on to secure highly influential positions in society, with some even rising to the post of Chief Minister, her husband continues to suffer in prison under the weight of old and allegedly fabricated cases. ## An Appeal for Justice and Truth Questioning the fairness of the judicial and political system, Arpita appealed directly to the conscience of the voters. She expressed hope that the truth would ultimately prevail and that the people of Nandigram would deliver a verdict that vindicates her husband. She urged the electorate to ensure a resounding victory for Milan Pradhan, casting their votes not just for a political party, but as a stand against injustice. Congress supporters have intensified their door-to-door campaigning, hoping that the narrative of a jailed candidate represented by his wife will resonate strongly with the local population in the final days of the campaign. ## What this means for you This political development has direct implications for local voters and the broader legal-electoral landscape. - **Across India:** Citizens will closely watch how courts handle the rights of imprisoned candidates contesting democratic elections. This could set a significant judicial precedent for future elections involving candidates in custody across various states. - **Democratic Awareness:** Voters across the country are becoming more aware of the legal mechanisms that allow family members to campaign on behalf of candidates. This highlights the resilient nature of grassroots political campaigning in India under challenging circumstances. - **In West Bengal:** The political landscape of the state will witness heightened tension as this high-profile by-election tests the strength of the major political coalitions. Local administration will likely deploy additional security forces to maintain law and order during the crucial polling week. - **In Nandigram:** Local residents must prepare for intensive door-to-door campaigning and potential traffic disruptions due to large political rallies. Voters in the constituency will have to weigh the emotional appeal of the jailed candidate against the developmental promises of rival parties. ## Why this happened The current political crisis in Nandigram stems from the arrest of Milan Pradhan, who has been jailed on charges that the opposition claims are politically motivated. The background of this conflict traces back to the historic land acquisition protests that shook West Bengal over a decade ago. - **Old Land Disputes:** The legal issues faced by Milan Pradhan originate from the intense anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram, during which multiple police cases were registered against local activists. Many of these historical legal disputes have remained unresolved for years, occasionally resurfacing during sensitive political times. - **By-Election Context:** The sudden activation of legal proceedings against the Congress candidate occurred just as the assembly by-election was announced in the region. Opponents of the candidate allegedly used these pending cases to restrict his physical presence and prevent him from reaching out to voters. - **Political Fragmentation:** Over the years, many activists who fought alongside Milan Pradhan joined other political parties, climbing the ranks to achieve significant power, while Milan remained with the Congress. This political realignment has created a divide where former allies now face each other from opposing ends of the legal and political spectrum. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Why is Milan Pradhan unable to campaign in person? Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the Nandigram by-election, is currently in jail under legal charges, preventing him from campaigning directly. ### 2. Who is leading the Congress election campaign in his absence? His wife, Arpita Pradhan, along with West Bengal Pradesh Congress leaders, is leading the door-to-door campaign in Nandigram. ### 3. What allegations has Arpita Pradhan made against political opponents? She alleges that her husband was framed in false cases to prevent him from contesting the election and to limit his political reach. ### 4. What is the historical context of the cases against Milan Pradhan? The cases are linked to the historic anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram, in which Milan Pradhan was an active participant. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._