Abhishek Banerjee writes to ECI over feared theft of TMC party documents
Synopsis
Abhishek Banerjee has taken his battle for the TMC's party name and electoral symbol to the Election Commission — but the new twist is a security alarm, not just a legal claim. His letter details a Nov 6-7 attack on his Kalighat home, surveillance by an unidentified police vehicle, and the Thursday-morning demolition of his security gate, all allegedly designed to rob MAITC of affidavits due before the ECI.
Key Takeaways
Abhishek Banerjee , TMC General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP, wrote to ECI on 13 November 2025 fearing theft of party documents.
The letter was addressed to CEC Gyanesh Kumar and commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi .
His counsel alleged an attack on his Kalighat residence on the night of 6-7 November , described as a 'well-planned plot' to seize affidavits.
Surveillance using a police vehicle was allegedly observed before the attack and again on 10 and 11 November .
West Bengal government officials allegedly broke down a security gate at his residence on Thursday morning, raising safety concerns.
The dispute mirrors an earlier allegation by Ritabrata Banerjee of the Democratic Trinamool Congress (DTC) , who had accused the MAITC faction of attempting to steal similar documents.
Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday, 13 November 2025, wrote a formal letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI) expressing serious apprehension about the possible theft or tampering of crucial documents required to establish rights over the original party name — All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) — and the electoral symbol of 'Flowers & Grass'. The letter, sent through his legal counsel, marks a significant escalation in an ongoing intra-party and inter-faction dispute over control of the TMC's official identity.
Who Was Addressed and Why
The letter was addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. Copies were forwarded to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee — Abhishek's aunt — Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, and Chief Election Officer Neelam Meena. The wide circulation of the letter underlines the gravity with which Abhishek's camp is treating the threat.
What the Letter Alleged
According to the letter, a group of miscreants allegedly attacked Abhishek Banerjee's residence at Kalighat in South Kolkata on the intervening night of 6 and 7 November. The attack was described by his counsel as not an isolated incident but a 'well-planned plot' to seize affidavits and documents prepared by Mamata All India Trinamool Congress (MAITC) for submission to the Commission.
The letter further alleged that just before the attack, unidentified persons using a police vehicle had conducted surveillance around the premises and photographed the area. Similar surveillance was reportedly observed on 10 and 11 November.
Additionally, the letter claimed that West Bengal government officials arrived at the residence on Thursday morning and broke down a security gate that had been erected by police in front of the MP's house. According to the letter, this act — coming in the context of prior attacks and continuous surveillance — raised 'serious concerns' about both the safety of the MP and the security of the documents involved in the pending ECI proceedings.
Background: The Trinamool Split and the ECI Dispute
The dispute over the All India Trinamool Congress party name and its electoral symbol has its roots in a factional conflict between rival groups. Last month, Ritabrata Banerjee, leader of the Democratic Trinamool Congress (DTC) and the current Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, had accused the MAITC faction of attempting to seize affidavits meant for the ECI. At the time, the allegation was directed in the opposite direction; now, it is Abhishek's camp raising the alarm — a reversal that adds a new dimension to the rivalry.
Both factions are contesting ownership of the original party name and symbol before the Election Commission, a process that requires the submission of sworn affidavits and supporting documents. Control of the recognised party name and symbol carries enormous electoral significance, particularly ahead of West Bengal's next assembly election cycle.
What Happens Next
The ECI is yet to publicly respond to the letter as of the time of publication. The Commission is expected to review the security concerns raised and may seek a report from West Bengal authorities. With the document submission deadline approaching and both factions under pressure, any further incident at the MP's residence could prompt a formal probe. All eyes are now on the ECI's next move in what has become a legally and politically charged contest over the TMC's institutional identity.
Point of View
It was the DTC's Ritabrata Banerjee who first raised the document-theft alarm last month, pointing at MAITC; now MAITC is making the identical charge in reverse. That symmetry invites scrutiny of both sides. The ECI's handling of this dual-allegation situation will test its ability to insulate a quasi-judicial proceeding from what has become a full-blown proxy war over the most valuable asset in West Bengal politics: the TMC brand.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Abhishek Banerjee write to the Election Commission of India?
Abhishek Banerjee wrote to the ECI on 13 November 2025 to flag apprehensions that crucial affidavits and documents, prepared by his MAITC faction for submission to the Commission to establish rights over the All India Trinamool Congress name and 'Flowers & Grass' symbol, could be stolen or tampered with. The letter follows an alleged attack on his Kalighat residence and repeated surveillance of the premises.
What happened at Abhishek Banerjee's Kalighat residence on the night of 6-7 November?
According to the letter sent to the ECI, a group of miscreants allegedly attacked Abhishek Banerjee's residence at Kalighat in South Kolkata on the intervening night of 6 and 7 November 2025. His counsel described it as a well-planned operation aimed at seizing documents meant for submission to the Election Commission.
What is the dispute over the All India Trinamool Congress name and symbol about?
Two rival factions — MAITC (associated with Abhishek and Mamata Banerjee) and the Democratic Trinamool Congress led by Ritabrata Banerjee — are contesting before the ECI for recognition as the legitimate All India Trinamool Congress and rights over its 'Flowers & Grass' electoral symbol. Control of the party name and symbol has significant electoral consequences in West Bengal.
Who else has raised similar document-theft allegations in this dispute?
Last month, Democratic Trinamool Congress leader Ritabrata Banerjee had accused the MAITC faction of attempting to rob affidavits meant for the ECI. Abhishek Banerjee's new letter now makes the reverse allegation, claiming it is his side whose documents are under threat.
What action is the ECI expected to take?
The ECI had not publicly responded to the letter as of the time of publication. The Commission is expected to review the security concerns and may seek a report from West Bengal authorities. Any further incident could prompt a formal investigation, given that both sides have now made document-safety allegations before the Commission.
