The political battle for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections has taken a legal turn with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) formally moving the Election Commission to disqualify BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. TMC Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien has submitted two detailed complaints seeking the cancellation of Adhikari’s nomination from both Bhawanipur and Nandigram.

The first complaint alleges that Suvendu is creating an atmosphere of fear by using central forces to intimidate voters and threatening a “Kashmir-like situation” in Bengal. The TMC claims that his statements regarding senior police officials amount to corrupt practices under the Representation of the People Act, making him unfit to contest the elections.

The second grievance focuses on administrative violations during his nomination filing in Bhawanipur, attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The TMC alleges that more than the permitted five people entered the Returning Officer’s (RO) room, violating ECI protocols. Citing viral photos and videos, the party has questioned the neutrality of the RO and general observers. With the Chief Election Commissioner also notified, the high-stakes rivalry in Bhawanipur and Nandigram has reached a boiling point just before the polls.