Kolkata, 15 April (H.S.) : Amid the ongoing 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that instructions were circulated via WhatsApp directing authorities to check vehicles belonging to its leaders and their family members.

In its written submission to the poll body, the party claimed that all TMC leaders’ vehicles—except that of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee—were to be subjected to inspection. The complaint specifically mentions directions to check the vehicles of Abhishek Banerjee and his wife Rujira Narula Banerjee.

On Tuesday, TMC released screenshots of the alleged WhatsApp chats to support its claims. According to the party, the instructions were based on suspicions within the Commission regarding possible financial transactions through Banerjee’s wife.

As per the screenshots, police and central armed forces were allegedly instructed to conduct “surprise checks” in coordination with election observers and to inspect vehicles of TMC leaders at multiple checkpoints throughout the day. The operations were also purportedly to be monitored from a central control room.

The party has alleged that such directives, issued just ahead of polling, are aimed at targeting its leaders, ministers, and their families, and disrupting its outreach and campaign activities.

However, questions have also been raised over the authenticity of the screenshots released by TMC. Observers pointed out inconsistencies, including different spellings of “Abhishek” in English and the absence of clear identification or designation. The name of his wife was also not explicitly mentioned, leaving room for doubt.

In its complaint, TMC further alleged that the Commission had expressed suspicion over possible distribution of money under the guise of medical camps and blood donation drives in certain districts. Based on this, instructions were reportedly issued to inspect such events in areas including Nadia, Basirhat, Bangaon, Canning, Tehatta, Ranaghat, Kakdwip, Magrahat-II, Diamond Harbour I & II, Falta, and Lalbagh.

Notably, tensions between the Trinamool Congress and the Election Commission have persisted since the announcement of the election schedule.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh