EC Gives ‘Ultimatum’ to TMC Over West Bengal Elections; Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra Hit Back
TMC and the Election Commission clashed after a tense meeting on West Bengal polls, with Derek O’Brien alleging the CEC told them to ‘get lost.’ The EC denied the claim, accusing TMC leaders of shouting, and asserted elections will be ‘fear-free’ amid voter roll row and political tensions.
A high-voltage meeting between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday ended in sharp exchanges, with both sides trading serious allegations ahead of the crucial West Bengal Assembly elections 2026.
The TMC delegation, led by Derek O’Brien, claimed that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar told them to “get lost” during the meeting. Speaking to the media, O’Brien said, “Then he said, ‘Get lost’. We have done eight to nine meetings with the Election Commission. Apart from the CEC, none of the other election commissioners spoke.”
EC Gives ‘Ultimatum’ to TMC Over West Bengal Elections
Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra Hit Back at EC
He added that the delegation submitted letters from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, highlighting alleged links between some poll officials and the BJP. O’Brien also remarked, “While we were walking out, one of my colleagues congratulated Gyanesh Kumar for being the only CEC to have notices moved in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for his removal.” West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: TMC Accuses EC Officials, BJP of Conspiring to Include Names of Outsiders in Voters' List.
However, sources within the Commission rejected the claims, stating that the situation escalated after TMC leaders raised their voices. According to officials, the CEC asked the delegation to maintain decorum, noting that “shouting and indecent behaviour is not appropriate.” ‘Real Chargesheet Will Be by People on May 4’: TMC Hits Back After Amit Shah Releases BJP Chargesheet Against Mamata Banerjee Govt.
Earlier, the ECI issued a strong statement on social media, effectively laying down an “ultimatum” for the upcoming polls. “This time, elections in West Bengal will be fear-free, violence-free, intimidation-free, inducement-free, and without raids, booth jamming or source jamming,” the Commission said.
The meeting was attended by TMC leaders including Mahua Moitra, Sagarika Ghose, Menaka Guruswamy, and Saket Gokhale. Tensions largely stem from the party’s objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The TMC has alleged that nearly 60 lakh voters were placed under adjudication, with around 27 lakh names removed. The voter count reportedly dropped from 7.66 crore to 7.04 crore, intensifying political tensions ahead of polling scheduled on April 23 and 29, with counting on May 4.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 08, 2026 12:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).