TMC Leaders Express Concerns Over Election Commission Meeting in West Bengal

As the West Bengal Assembly elections draw near, TMC leaders have voiced their concerns following a brief meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner. Allegations of dismissive behavior and unfair practices regarding official transfers have surfaced. Derek O'Brien, a prominent TMC MP, criticized the CEC's conduct and called for accountability, challenging the commission to release evidence of their interaction. With the elections set for late April, the political atmosphere is charged, and opposition parties are preparing to address these issues in a press conference. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 8, 2026, 12:33 IST

TMC Delegation Meets Chief Election Commissioner

As the West Bengal Assembly elections approach, political activities are intensifying. On Wednesday morning, a delegation from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) met with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Following this brief encounter, TMC leaders alleged that the CEC dismissed them with a 'Get Lost' remark after just seven minutes. The party, led by Mamata Banerjee, raised concerns regarding the transfer of officials and other related issues during their meeting.

TMC has consistently accused the BJP of orchestrating the transfers of officials in West Bengal. Additionally, the party claims that the SIR has been manipulated to disproportionately affect constituencies and districts where TMC has historically performed well. After filing her nomination in Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee expressed her disappointment over the removal of numerous names due to the SIR. In response to Derek O'Brien's comments, election officials emphasized the need for decorum during such meetings, stating that shouting and inappropriate behavior are unacceptable.

Derek O'Brien's Remarks Post-Meeting

After the meeting with the CEC, TMC MP Derek O'Brien stated, 'Previously, we were allowed to hold press conferences at the EC's gate, but now even that permission has been revoked. I, along with Menaka Guruswamy, Saket Gokhale, and Sagarika Ghosh, attended the meeting. In just seven minutes, the CEC told our delegation to 'Get Lost.' As the second-largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha, we were told to leave, and so we did.'

He further mentioned, 'We presented nine letters written by the TMC chief to the election commission, which went unanswered. We provided six examples of officials linked to the BJP who are part of the electoral process, including the Chief Election Officer who was seen with BJP members. This took us only 2-3 minutes. We asked how they plan to conduct fair elections, and they responded by asking us to leave.'

A Call for Accountability

Derek O'Brien continued, 'Having been with TMC for 22 years and in Parliament for 16, I have met many officials, but what I witnessed today was disgraceful. I challenge the CEC to release the video or audio of what transpired. As we were leaving, we congratulated him for being the only CEC to have faced removal notices in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. All opposition parties will hold a press conference this evening.'

Controversy Surrounding Election Commission's Tweet

Immediately after the meeting, the Election Commission tweeted a strong message to the TMC, stating that the upcoming elections in West Bengal will be free from fear, violence, threats, inducements, raids, and booth jamming. In a media interaction, Derek O'Brien read this tweet aloud, accusing the election commission of misconduct. Regarding the issue of votes being cut under the SIR, he mentioned that the matter is now between the election commission and the Supreme Court.

It is important to note that the West Bengal Assembly elections will take place in two phases, with the first phase scheduled for April 23 and the second on April 29. The results are expected to be announced on May 4.