TMC moves EC against Nirmala Sitharaman over alleged model code violation during “Matri Shakti Bharosa” card distribution

The All India Trinamool Congress has approached the Election Commission alleging that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has violated the Model Code of Conduct during the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections. The complaint is linked to the distribution of “Matri Shakti Bharosa” cards, which promise monthly financial assistance to women in the state.

According to the complaint, the BJP has begun distributing the cards, which assure ₹3,000 per month to eligible women, at a time when the election process is underway. Trinamool Congress has objected specifically to the involvement of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, alleging that such distribution amounts to influencing voters during the enforced election code period.

The controversy intensified after a press conference where BJP leaders, including Smriti Irani, along with Suvendu Adhikari and Rupa Ganguly, formally unveiled the “Matri Shakti Bharosa” initiative. Reports of door-to-door distribution of the cards by BJP Mahila Morcha workers in several areas of the state further escalated the political confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition.

Trinamool Congress has alleged that the rollout of such welfare-linked cards during the election period is a direct violation of election norms and has urged the Election Commission to take strict action. The party also questioned the timing of the distribution, arguing that such announcements and outreach activities should have been conducted before the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct.

The BJP, on the other hand, maintains that the initiative is a commitment to women’s financial empowerment in Bengal and will be implemented if the party comes to power. The Election Commission is expected to examine the complaint as political tensions continue to rise ahead of polling.