Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Partha Bhowmick criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday following its recent decisions on the transfer and posting of election officers in West Bengal.
Addressing reporters, Bhowmick labelled the Commission as a “BJP agent” and claimed its office functions as an extension of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He asserted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remains deeply connected “in the hearts of the common people.”
“Ordinary people vote. The military does not vote, SPs do not vote, and Police Commissioners do not vote. Common people vote, and Mamata Banerjee is in their hearts. We have already said on behalf of the party that this Election Commissioner is an agent of the BJP. The Election Commission office is like a BJP party office. We knew this would happen,” said Bhowmick.
He added that the TMC’s focus is on following Mamata Banerjee’s ideals and roadmap by reaching out to the common people, encapsulated by the phrase ‘Maa-Maati-Manush’ (Mother-Land-People), and winning their support.
“And the common people of Bengal say only one thing: ‘Outsiders come and go, Bengal wants its own daughter,'” he stated.
Commenting on Suvendu Adhikari standing again in Bhawanipore, Bhowmick expressed gratitude to Samik Bhattacharya for advising Adhikari not to keep repeating old claims. “But that is his character; he keeps saying, ‘I defeated Mamata.’ He will never be able to say that again because Samik Bhattacharya has fielded him in Bhawanipore. He will lose by one lakh votes in Bhawanipore. Then he won’t be able to say that he defeated Mamata. Ordinary people will say he lost by one lakh votes to Mamata Banerjee,” he said.
Earlier, the Election Commission announced that the West Bengal Assembly elections across 294 constituencies will be held in two phases, scheduled for April 23 and April 29.
Counting of votes for both phases will take place on May 4, with the election process completing by May 6.
The first phase will cover 152 Assembly constituencies, beginning with the issuance of the gazette notification on March 30, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is April 6, with scrutiny on April 7 and withdrawal of nominations permitted until April 9. Polling will be conducted on April 23.
The second phase includes 142 Assembly constituencies. Its gazette notification will be issued on April 2, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is April 9, scrutiny will be on April 10, and candidates may withdraw nominations until April 13. Polling for this phase will occur on April 29.