Trinamool Congress Seeks Calcutta HC's Help Over Fears of Arrests of 800 Workers Ahead of West Bengal Elections
Synopsis
The Trinamool Congress has approached the Calcutta High Court, raising concerns about the possible arrest of 800 party workers before the upcoming elections. With a significant security presence, the party's leadership is mobilizing to ensure their members are protected.
Key Takeaways
Trinamool Congress fears the arrest of 800 workers.
Petition filed at Calcutta High Court for intervention.
First phase of Assembly polls on April 23.
High security with 2,407 central force companies deployed.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's concerns echoed in campaign rallies.
Kolkata, April 20 (NationPress) On Monday, the Trinamool Congress lodged a petition with a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, expressing concerns over the potential arrests of approximately 800 party workers as per directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI) ahead of the upcoming two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal scheduled for later this month.
The petition was submitted by Kalyan Banerjee, a senior advocate and four-time Lok Sabha member from the Trinamool Congress, who requested urgent intervention by the Calcutta High Court regarding the situation.
The plea was accepted by the Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen of the Division Bench, with the first hearing set for April 22, just one day before the initial phase of the elections on April 23.
The Trinamool Congress is anxious that around 800 of its members, currently under close scrutiny from the ECI, may face arrests prior to the elections as a result of the Commission's orders.
Recently, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has voiced similar concerns at her campaign rallies, particularly regarding the safety of her party's polling and counting agents from potential arrests prior to the elections.
To prepare for this possibility, the Chief Minister has instructed her party leaders to have contingency plans in place. This concern is now officially represented through the Trinamool Congress's petition to the Calcutta High Court.
The Assembly elections will take place in two phases on April 24 and April 29, with voting for 152 constituencies in the first phase and 142 constituencies in the second phase. The counting of votes will commence on May 4, with results announced on the same day.
This election cycle is marked by an unprecedented level of security, with 2,407 companies of central forces, including members from the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), India Reserve Battalion (IRB), and armed police units from various states, being deployed for the first phase in addition to personnel from the West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police.
Point of View
The party is taking legal measures to protect its workers from potential arrests that could impact the electoral process.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the Trinamool Congress to file a petition?
The Trinamool Congress filed a petition due to concerns about the possible arrest of around 800 party workers following directives from the Election Commission of India ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
When are the Assembly elections scheduled in West Bengal?
The Assembly elections in West Bengal are scheduled to take place in two phases on April 24 and April 29.
What security measures are being implemented for the elections?
The elections will be conducted under a heightened security protocol, with 2,407 companies of central forces deployed, including personnel from various law enforcement agencies.
When is the first hearing for the petition filed by the Trinamool Congress?
The first hearing for the petition is scheduled for April 22, just one day before the first phase of the Assembly polls.
What did Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee say regarding the situation?
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her apprehensions about the safety of her party workers, urging her leadership to prepare for any potential arrests.
