BJP files complaint to EC against Mamata, TMC lodges counter complaint against Suvendu over MCC violation

The political atmosphere in West Bengal has reached a fever pitch as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have filed counter-complaints with the Election Commission (EC) against each other's key candidates. The BJP targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the TMC candidate for Bhabanipur, alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The saffron party claimed that several areas in the Bhabanipur constituency still feature large cutouts and posters showcasing the Chief Minister’s development projects despite the election code being in effect.

Amidst these allegations, news regarding Mamata Banerjee’s resignation from various "offices of profit" has also created a buzz. On Tuesday, reports initially suggested that she had resigned from approximately 23 to 28 committees and boards—including the State Health Mission and the Urdu Academy—to avoid disqualification before filing her nomination. While there was brief confusion regarding a stay on these resignations, the state government eventually confirmed to the EC that she had vacated all positions that could potentially lead to pecuniary gain.

On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress has moved the Commission against the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, over an incident in Nandigram. The TMC alleged that during a rally on Wednesday for their candidate Pabitro Kar, BJP supporters targeted Kar with derogatory slogans, calling him a "thief." The ruling party condemned this behavior as disrespectful and a breach of the democratic decorum expected during campaigning, demanding immediate intervention from the election authorities against Adhikari’s camp.