The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, accusing him of making “communal and inflammatory remarks” during an election rally in poll-bound Taldangra on November 9.

The complaint against Adhikari, who is the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, was made citing an alleged breach of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) as the state is set to face six-bypolls.

“Suvendu Adhikari… while addressing a rally in poll-bound “251 Taldangra Bidhansabha”… unethically targeted the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Rajya Sabha MP of AITC Samirul Islam, and also our neighbouring country Bangladesh. Excerpts of the deplorable speech (go) as follows: “Have you seen the photos from Bangladesh? They have destroyed 596 temples. What atrocities were committed against Hindus and Tribals? They (AITC) want to turn West Bengal into a second Bangladesh).” Such virulent statements are not only unacceptable in Indian democratic norms but also baseless as well as highly communal in nature. The statement was clearly seeking to exploit religion as a divisive tool,” read the letter.

The TMC alleged that this “rhetoric” is “consistent with the BJP’s election propaganda and a constant strategy of using divisive narratives to undermine the harmony and stability of West Bengal, especially during the election period.”

The state’s ruling party sought the ECI’s immediate intervention in enforcing penal action including the “strict censorship” of Suvendu Adhikari and the BJP, so that they do not “breach the MCC any further.”