Mamata Banerjee Alleges Central Forces Attempted to Check Her Vehicle, Targets EC Ahead of Polls

Kolkata, April 2026 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that central security forces attempted to check her vehicle while she was on her way to the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, intensifying the political confrontation ahead of the Assembly elections.

The Chief Minister’s remarks come a day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) was accused by the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) of directing Flying Surveillance Teams (FSTs) to conduct checks on vehicles belonging to party leaders and their family members.

Addressing an election rally in Islampur in North Dinajpur district, Banerjee questioned the alleged selective targeting of her party. “Today, central forces came to check my car at Dum Dum airport. I told them to go ahead and check. I have nothing to hide. But if Trinamool leaders’ vehicles are being searched, will the Prime Minister’s or the Home Minister’s vehicles not be checked? Why only target us?” she asked.

Stepping up her attack on the poll body, Banerjee said she welcomed scrutiny but opposed what she described as discriminatory practices. “If you have the courage, check my car every day. I am not afraid. I am not a thief or a robber. I do not take even a single paisa as salary from the government,” she asserted, adding that the officials who approached her vehicle left hurriedly without conducting a thorough inspection.

The controversy escalated after the TMC on Tuesday alleged that the ECI had issued specific instructions to surveillance teams to monitor vehicles of all party leaders, excluding the Chief Minister herself. The alleged directive also included checks on vehicles associated with TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee and his wife Rujira Narula Banerjee.

Banerjee further alleged that central ministers were misusing official machinery during the election period. “Central ministers are bringing money. I know what is being transported in vehicles used by central forces,” she claimed, without providing specific evidence.

She also accused Union leaders of violating the Model Code of Conduct by distributing cards promising financial benefits to voters. Taking aim at the Union Finance Minister, Banerjee said such actions amounted to misleading the public during elections. “Why are these cards being distributed now? Why not before the elections? Are new accounts being opened just for this purpose?” she questioned.

Calling upon the Election Commission to act impartially, the Chief Minister urged the poll body to take strict action against anyone found violating election norms. She stressed that free and fair elections require equal treatment of all political parties and transparency in enforcement.

Banerjee also warned voters against being influenced by what she described as last-minute promises. “After the elections, they will come with bulldozers and drive you out,” she alleged, in a sharp political attack on her opponents.

As campaigning intensifies in West Bengal, the allegations and counter-allegations between the ruling party and central authorities have added a new layer of tension to the electoral atmosphere, raising questions about neutrality and enforcement in the run-up to polling.