Kolkata/IBNS, Sept. 18 -- In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the West Bengal bypolls, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday extended her support to the Congress candidate in Nandigram after her faction's nominee withdrew from the contest.

Hours after Banerjee announced her support for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, Pradhan was arrested in connection with an old alleged murder case dating back to the 2007 Nandigram anti-land acquisition protests, according to reports.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued an interim order barring both rival factions of the Trinamool Congress from using the party's name, All India Trinamool Congress, and its reserved "flowers and grass" symbol for the upcoming bypolls....