Vote theft, party theft… murder of democracy: Opposition hits out at BJP, backs Mamata Banerjee over Trinamool Congress symbol feeze

The Congress party criticized the BJP on Friday over the arrest of their bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan in a 19-year-old case, accusing the BJP of committing "political revenge and murder of democracy." Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition, stated that the arrest of Congress candidate Milan Pradhan for the Nandigram by-election was no coincidence, and it was a result of the BJP's lack of trust in fair elections.

The Congress party vowed to fight against such acts and win. The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) factions were also directed by the Election Commission not to use the party name and its symbol in the upcoming October 6 bypolls. The opposition parties, including the Congress, INDIA alliance, and Samajwadi Party, united to support Mamata Banerjee and expressed concerns over the ECI's actions, questioning its constitutional responsibility and loyalty.

The BJP responded by accusing the Congress of not understanding the origins of parties like the TMC and NCP, and called Rahul Gandhi "Bhasmasur" for his political ignorance.