LoP in West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. | Photo credit: ANI
Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Friday (March 20, 2026) alleged that Mamata Banerjee violated polling rules by using the chief minister’s letterhead for political correspondence and demanded immediate action from the Election Commission.
He argued that once the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into effect, a clear distinction must be maintained between administrative duties and party politics.
“Once the election code is in place, he cannot write political letters using the Chief Minister’s block. He can write as much as he wants on the Trinamool Congress block… but using the CM’s block is a violation of the MCC,” a BJP leader told reporters at Mahisadal in Purba Medinipur.
Apart from contesting from his stronghold of Nandigram, Mr Adhikari is also pitted against Ms Banerjee in Bhabanipur in the state election.
Ms Banerjee on Thursday wrote a strongly worded letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, expressing “deep shock” at the functioning of the polling panel. In her eighth letter to the CEC, the Trinamool Congress leader alleged that the electoral body “unilaterally” transferred several senior government officials, including the chief secretary, home minister, director general of police and several district magistrates and police officers, soon after the assembly elections were announced.
Ms. Banerjee reportedly used the Chief Minister’s official pad to write the CEC.
“Why is she using the Chief Minister’s block? The Election Commission should take action against her,” Mr Adhikari said.
“Remove ad spaces”
He also demanded the removal of government hoardings and photographs of Ms. Banerjee from public spaces, saying these hoardings were still in place even after several days had passed since the election plan was released.
The model code of conduct becomes effective immediately after the announcement of the voting schedule by the electoral commission.
“Why were the Chief Minister’s pictures not removed (from government boards) as per the rules? Out of what fear is the Election Commission giving these opportunities to Mamata Banerjee?” the BJP leader posed.
In the TMC candidate list, Mr Adhikari claimed it included rape accused persons or those who had spent two to three-and-a-half years in jail, saying no political party had released such a list since Independence.
He claimed that the selection of candidates had created resentment within the TMC’s own ranks. In contrast, more than 50% of the BJP candidates were local workers with humble backgrounds, a BJP leader said.
Elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases — on April 23 and 29. The votes will be counted on May 4.
Published – 20 March 2026 22:41 IST
