Jailed Nandigram candidate's wife attacks Suvendu, seeks Mamata Banerjee's help

Arpita Pradhan, wife of jailed Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, on Thursday appealed for support for her husband and accused Suvendu Adhikari of using his position to target him ahead of the October 6 Nandigram bypoll.

Addressing a press conference at Bidhan Bhavan in Kolkata, Arpita broke down several times while questioning the timing of Milan's arrest and sought support from TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and other opposition parties.

Milan Pradhan was arrested in connection with several cases dating back 19 years, including a murder case linked to the 2007 anti-land acquisition agitation in Nandigram.

He was subsequently remanded in judicial custody until October 5, leaving him unable to campaign for himself just a day before polling.

Arpita questioned why her husband had been arrested shortly before the election when the cases against him were so old.

She also pointed to Adhikari's alleged involvement in the same case and questioned why he was not facing similar consequences.

"Why was my husband sent to jail just before this election in such an old case? Suvendu Adhikari was also an accused in the same case, so why is he out? This has happened because we are from the opposition”.

She alleged that Milan had been implicated in fabricated cases because of his political activities and claimed his arrest had placed his family under severe strain.

"He was slapped with false cases since he was fighting for his country and because he stood by his people. He has a family, and our daughter is unable to attend school in the current situation”.

Seeking wider political backing, Arpita thanked several people and institutions for supporting her husband's legal battle.

"I want to thank the High Court and the Supreme Court, as well as the lawyers fighting the case on behalf of my husband. I want to thank Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee. I also want to thank all the Congress workers."

She appealed to opposition parties and voters to stand behind the Congress candidate, alleging that the case against him was politically motivated.

"I want everyone to stand by us in this fight. He has been detained in a false case. His elderly parents are at home. I want my husband to be released as soon as possible. Our daughter is crying at home and cannot focus on her studies. He is the sole support for the entire family. He has served the Congress party honestly and never accepted help from anyone”.

Arpita further alleged that Adhikari had misused his power and said the situation needed to change. "Are we living in a free country? It seems to me that we are living under British rule. I urge the people of Nandigram to stand by me. CM Suvendu Adhikari is misusing his power. This must stop," she added.

She said Milan had remained with the Congress since his student days despite political offers and claimed that he had maintained his commitment to the party.

With him in custody, Arpita announced that she and their daughter would campaign on his behalf from September 25, beginning at Nandigram market.

The Congress has indicated that Milan's family will lead its campaign as the party continues its bypoll effort.

State Congress president Subhankar Sarkar said those supporting the Congress nominee were welcome to join the campaign. With polling scheduled for October 6 and Milan remaining in judicial custody until October 5, his legal proceedings and the campaign led by his family are now set to remain central to the Nandigram contest.