With just two days remaining before a crucial phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has approached the Calcutta High Court on Monday, seeking urgent protection for its leaders and workers against what it describes as “imminent arrests” allegedly driven by political motives.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while addressing multiple campaign rallies across districts, has repeatedly claimed that members of her party could be targeted and detained in the run-up to polling. She has accused the Election Commission of acting in a manner that benefits the BJP, a charge that has intensified political tensions in the state.
According to the petition filed before the court, the TMC alleges that nearly 800 of its leaders and workers have been identified and could be arrested at any moment. Seeking immediate judicial intervention, the party has urged the court to prevent any coercive action ahead of the elections.
On Monday, senior TMC leader and counsel Kalyan Banerjee mentioned the matter before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Parthasarathi Sen. Presenting the party’s concerns, Banerjee stated, “There is an apprehension that approximately 800 Trinamool workers are facing imminent arrest,” and appealed for swift judicial intervention.
The bench has permitted the formal filing of the petition, with a hearing scheduled for next Wednesday.
The legal move comes amid escalating rhetoric from Mamata, who, throughout her campaign, has alleged that directives are being issued from higher levels within the Election Commission to target TMC members. These claims, however, are likely to be contested by both the Commission and opposition parties.
Also read: TMC targets PM Modi over ‘jhalmuri’ break in Jhargram
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