The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to approach the Supreme Court over alleged manipulation and irregularities during the recently concluded 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The move comes after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a sweeping victory in the state, ending the TMC’s 15-year rule and triggering a major political confrontation between the two parties.
TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has accused the Election Commission and central agencies of allowing “systematic interference” in the electoral process. Addressing party workers and newly elected MLAs, Banerjee claimed that the election mandate did not reflect the true will of the people and alleged that several irregularities took place during polling and counting.
According to senior TMC leaders, the party is preparing multiple legal petitions challenging the role of central government officials during vote counting, the handling of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and alleged discrepancies in voter rolls. The party had earlier objected to the Election Commission’s decision to appoint central government employees as counting supervisors instead of state government staff, arguing that the move raised questions about neutrality.
The controversy escalated further after TMC leaders alleged suspicious activity at several EVM strong rooms in Kolkata and other districts ahead of counting day. Party representatives claimed that unauthorized individuals were seen near the facilities and demanded an independent investigation. However, the Election Commission rejected the allegations and stated that all strong rooms were protected under strict security protocols, including CCTV monitoring and round-the-clock surveillance in the presence of party agents.
The BJP dismissed the allegations as an attempt by the TMC to avoid accepting electoral defeat. Senior BJP leaders stated that the election process was conducted transparently under the supervision of the Election Commission and central observers. They accused the TMC of spreading misinformation to create political unrest after losing power in the state.
Despite the defeat, Mamata Banerjee said the TMC would continue its “democratic and constitutional struggle” and seek judicial intervention to examine the alleged irregularities. Political observers believe the legal challenge could further intensify tensions in West Bengal, where the transition of power has already sparked heated political debate and protests in several districts.