Kolkata

Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing West Bengal Legislative Assembly, on Friday accused the ruling All India Trinamool Congress of distributing fake press identity cards to party workers in an attempt to influence the electoral process.

The allegation comes a day after the TMC charged the Bharatiya Janata Party with violating the model code of conduct by allegedly promoting a scheme called “Matrishakti Bhorsa Card”, which promised financial support to women and involved distribution of forms in constituencies just before polling. The ruling party had described the move as an attempt at electoral bribery and demanded action from the Election Commission.

In a post on X, Adhikari claimed that the TMC, with the help of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee, had issued bogus media credentials to its workers. According to him, these individuals were posing as journalists to gain entry to polling stations and administrative centres with the intention of swaying voters and interfering in the election process.

He further alleged that such people were being strategically positioned under the guise of media personnel to carry out unlawful activities while enjoying the cover normally granted to journalists.

The BJP leader urged the Election Commission of India to verify all recently issued media credentials in the state and ensure that only accredited journalists from recognised organisations are allowed access near polling booths.

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The All India Trinamool Congress had not issued any response to the allegations at the time of reporting.