Shah broke MCC during Petrapole visit, TMC writes to EC
Times of India | 30 October 2024
12 Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday lodged a complaint against Union home minister Amit Shah with the Election Commission for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during his recent visit to Petrapole in North 24 Parganas district on Sunday. The TMC alleged that Shah used a govt programme — where he inaugurated several infrastructure projects along the India-Bangladesh border — to canvass for BJP in the district, where bypolls will be held in Haroa and Naihati on Nov 13.
With the MCC in effect since Oct 15, when the bypoll schedule was announced, ministers are prohibited from combining official visits with election-related activities, said Trinamool state president Subrata Bakshi. The TMC complaint stated: "During his official address at the Petrapole event, Union home minister Amit Shah made slanderous remarks against All India Trinamool Congress and chairperson Mamata Banerjee with an intent to defame. The politically charged remarks — calling for a ‘parivartan in 2026' — were in no way connected to the event in question, raising serious doubts over the Union home minister's intentions to maintain the line between official events and electioneering work."
Shah said during the event, "The people of Bengal have some grievances, but don't worry; the BJP govt will address them after the 2026 elections."
Trinamool requested the Election Commission to issue a show-cause notice to Shah and prevent similar incidents by BJP leaders in the future.