Bengal police arrest second bypoll candidate as election campaign intensifies

Police in West Bengal have arrested the Rejinagar bypoll candidate, marking the second such arrest in as many days as the state prepares for contentious assembly elections. The development comes shortly after authorities detained Milan Pradhan, the Nandigram bypoll candidate, amid what officials described as routine pre-poll operations.

The two bypolls were necessitated following Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's decision to vacate the Nandigram seat, a position he had recently held. The Rejinagar vacancy arose after legislator Humayun Kabir retained the Nawda constituency following his victory in the 2026 assembly elections, requiring him to relinquish his earlier seat.

The twin elections, scheduled for October 6, have emerged as significant contests in the state's political landscape. The arrests of both candidates have drawn scrutiny from political observers monitoring the electoral process in Bengal, where the campaign period has been marked by heightened intensity.

Authorities have not disclosed specific charges against either candidate at this stage. The sequential arrests have underscored the volatile nature of campaigning in the state as various parties mobilize their resources ahead of the scheduled voting date.