The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has alleged that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is selectively targeting its leaders ahead of the West Bengal elections. The party claimed it accessed a "shocking communication" allegedly circulated via WhatsApp groups among officials.
Earlier TMC claimed that the instructions were shared with police, observers, and CAPF personnel, directing them to monitor and check vehicles linked to party leaders and their families.
Screenshots surfaced recently appear to show directions for increased surveillance and checking. One highlighted portion mentions the "involvement of Avisek's wife in transporting money", while another line calls for checking "all Protectees of TMC, including their ministers including Abhishek and his wife must be checked in full day glare".
The messages also refer to monitoring distribution of funds, movement of cash across regions, and conducting frequent surprise checks.
At the time of penning this article, the ECI has not issued any statement regarding the matter.
Leaders named in instructions
TMC said the instructions specifically mention Abhishek Banerjee, the party's national general secretary, and his wife. The party alleged that campaign activities and outreach programmes are also being targeted under these directions.
{News Ei Samay has not independently the above screenshots}
Polling schedule
The West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4. Voters will elect all 294 members, while the current Assembly's term ends on May 7.
