CEC asks TMC delegation to 'get lost'; O'Brien accused of 'shouting'

A Trinamool Congress delegation reported a contentious meeting with the Election Commission, alleging the chief election commissioner dismissed them abruptly, while the EC has accused the TMC of disruptive behaviour.

IMAGE: Trinamool Congress delegation reaches the Election Commission office, New Delhi, April 8, 2026.

Photograph: Courtesy, @AITCofficial/XKey PointsTrinamool Congress (TMC) delegation claims the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) told them to get lost during a meeting.

TMC alleges specific instances of poll officials having links with the BJP were presented to the Election Commission. Election Commission sources accuse TMCs Derek OBrien of shouting at election commissioners during the meeting.

The Election Commission assures that elections in West Bengal will be fear-free, violence-free, intimidation-free, and inducement-free.

The meeting between a Trinamool Congress delegation and the full bench of the Election Commission on Wednesday culminated on an acrimonious note, with the TMC saying the panels chief asked them to get lost at the end of the seven-minute meeting, while the EC accused them of shouting.

After the meeting, TMCs Rajya Sabha MP Derek OBrien told mediapersons that they handed over letters from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, and also apprised him of specific instances of poll officials having links with the BJP.

Then he said, Get lost. We have done eight to nine meetings with the Election Commission. Apart from the CEC, none of the other election commissioners spoke, OBrien said.