The ongoing tensions between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) escalated on Wednesday after a meeting between the two sides ended on an acrimonious note.
A TMC delegation, comprising Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien, deputy leader Sagarika Ghose, MPs Saket Gokhale and Menaka Guruswamy, met the full bench of Election Commission ahead of the assembly elections.
The TMC arrived at the poll body office at 10 am and the meeting began with the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and both Election Commissioners.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, the Trinamool leaders alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner asked them to "get lost" and the commission accusing them of "shouting".
TMC leader Derek O'Brien said that the delegation handed over nine letters written by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, which the MP said have not been acknowledged.
The leaders also apprised the EC of specific instances showing certain poll officials' alleged links with the BJP and demanded that they be transferred.
EC sources accused TMC leader Derek O'Brien of shouting at the election commissioners and said the CEC requested him to maintain decorum in the commission room.
The poll body accused the TMC leaders of "shouting" and said it will ensure free and fair elections in the state.
The elections are set to be held in West Bengal on April 23 and 29, while the counting scheduled on May 4.
