'Get lost': TMC's Derek O’Brien alleges misconduct by CEC during ECI meet

A Trinamool Congress delegation on Wednesday alleged misconduct during a meeting with the Election Commission of India (ECI) in New Delhi, claiming that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar told them to "get lost".

The meeting took place at the ECI office and was attended by Trinamool’s Rajya Sabha MPs Derek O'Brien, Sagarika Ghose, Dr. Menaka Guruswamy, and former MP Saket Gokhale.

TMC alleges misconduct during meeting

Speaking after the meeting, Derek O'Brien said, "What the CEC told us within seven minutes of the meeting was 'get lost'. This is what the CEC told the TMC delegation. We are the second largest Opposition party."

He added that the delegation had presented specific concerns related to West Bengal. "It took two-three minutes to give examples and the memorandum. Then, he said get out of here," O'Brien said.

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O'Brien also challenged the Election Commission to make public the meeting records. He said the ECI should release video or audio footage of the interaction.

According to him, the delegation had raised issues about six officials posted in West Bengal who were allegedly linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and involved in the election process.

EC denies claim, cites disruption

On the other hand, Election Commission sources disputed O'Brien's version of events. They claimed that O'Brien "shouted at the Election Commission and asked the CEC not to speak" during the meeting, The Indian Express reported.

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Following the interaction, the ECI also issued a statement on social media platform X. It said, "ECI's Straight-talk to Trinamool Congress… This time, the Elections in West Bengal would surely be: fear-free, violence-free, intimidation-free, inducement-free and without any raid, booth jamming and source jamming."