Police arrested Trinamool Congress rebel Humayun Kabir in Nandigram, West Bengal, on October 9 during the bye‑polls that saw record voter turnout.
Across four jurisdictions—Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry—six seats were contested, drawing 5.24 lakh voters; Nandigram registered a 79.39% turnout, while Rejinagar reached 78.42%.
Kabir, who had raised accusations that police were acting on Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s instructions, was taken into custody after a heated exchange with officers at the polling station, a move that drew media attention and heightened tensions among party supporters.
The arrest comes as the Trinamool Congress seeks to consolidate its gains in the two high‑stakes seats, while the state’s opposition parties view it as a political maneuver. Meanwhile, the Election Commission reported only minor incidents during polling, underscoring the overall peaceful conduct.
Vote counting is scheduled for October 10, with results expected to determine control of the two seats and influence the balance of power in West Bengal’s 294‑member assembly.