Trinamool Congress Delegation Detained by Delhi Police for Staging a Protest outside EC Office

A Trinamool Congress delegation was detained by the Delhi police on Monday after they attempted to stage a 24-hour protest outside the Election Commission office in the national capital. The TMC leaders demanded the removal of the current heads of central agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Income Tax Department.

The protest demonstration, led by a 10-member delegation, including Derek O'Brien, Dola Sen, Sagarika Ghosh and Mohammed Nadimul Haque, was staged outside the EC office following a meeting with the Election Commission's full bench. The TMC alleges misuse of these central agencies by the BJP government, particularly citing the targeting of TMC workers ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The Trinamool Congress leaders were detained by the Delhi police soon after. Videos of the leaders chanting slogans like "Modi hatao, desh bachao" (Remove Modi, save the country), and the leaders being dragged by the police surfaced on social media.

“The BJP is misusing central agencies against us. The way NIA, ED, and CBI are working and targeting TMC leaders is shameful. We request the EC to ensure a level playing field for all political parties," said TMC MP Dola Sen to a battery of media.

"In Oct 2023, DEMOCRACY was muzzled INSIDE Krishi Bhavan. Today, it was attacked OUTSIDE in broad daylight! With each passing day, the BANGLA BIRODHI ZAMINDARS are growing VIOLENT & DESPERATE in their bid for power. BENGAL WILL RESPOND FITTINGLY! @BJP4India GIRD YOUR LOINS!" posted Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee hitting out at the BJP over Delhi police detaining TMC leaders.

It is important to remeber that this protest comes amidst ongoing tensions between the TMC and the BJP, with accusations of political interference dominating the discourse. TMC's grievances stem from recent incidents, including an attack on an NIA team in West Bengal's East Midnapore district. The agency was there to make arrests in a case related to a blast at a TMC leader's house in 2022. However, the NIA defended its actions, denying any malicious intent and attributing the attack to an attempt to obstruct their lawful duties.​