Story perspectives

Police arrest Saiful Islam over 5-year-old clash case

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 10:12 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Police Arrest Saiful

Police arrested candidate Saiful Islam on September 19 in a five-year-old clash case.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari vacated Nandigram after winning it, prompting October 6 by-elections for both seats.
AJUP chief Humayun Kabir received a September 19 notice to appear before investigators on September 21.
AJUP secretary Ashik Iqbal was arrested on September 18 in Murshidabad with counterfeit currency and arms.
Police said a September 14 audio recording indicated a possible conspiracy to incite communal tension.

Summary

Adhikari Faces By-poll

The 2026 Nandigram by-poll tests BJP-led chief minister Suvendu Adhikari after he vacated the seat.
BJP captured Nandigram in 2021, raising Adhikari’s profile and strengthening the party’s state standing.
Adhikari won Nandigram for TMC in 2016 before defecting to the BJP.
TMC seized Nandigram in 2011, ending a 34-year left-wing rule in West Bengal.
During the 2007 anti-land-acquisition protest, Pradhan helped form the Bhumi Uchchhed Pratirodh Committee.

History

Historical Context

In June 1977, after Indira Gandhi’s government fell, the Left Front led by CPI(M) chief minister Jyoti Basu won 231 of 294 seats in West Bengal’s assembly, launching a 34-year rule. The 2026 Nandigram by-poll pits BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari against Trinamool’s candidate, echoing the 2011 defeat that ended that left dominance and showing how past turnovers still shape the state’s power balance.

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Police Arrest Saiful

Police arrested candidate Saiful Islam on September 19 in a five-year-old clash case.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari vacated Nandigram after winning it, prompting October 6 by-elections for both seats.
AJUP chief Humayun Kabir received a September 19 notice to appear before investigators on September 21.
AJUP secretary Ashik Iqbal was arrested on September 18 in Murshidabad with counterfeit currency and arms.
Police said a September 14 audio recording indicated a possible conspiracy to incite communal tension.

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