Overview The Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) on 30 March 2026 submitted a formal complaint to the Election Commission of India ( EC ) seeking legal action against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee . The complaint alleges repeated breaches of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and calls for her disqualification from the upcoming state election campaign. Key Developments A delegation of Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Kiren Rijiju, Sukanta Majumdar , along with senior BJP leaders submitted the grievance at the EC headquarters. The BJP accuses Ms. Banerjee of making "grave and disturbing" statements at rallies in Mainaguri, Naxalbari, and Pandaveswar between 25‑26 March 2026, urging voters to display anti‑BJP posters and to "come out with whatever you have at home" on polling days. The party alleges that BJP workers were attacked in Basanti, South 24 Parganas, by a mob allegedly incited by the TMC, and that the state police acted as "passive spectators". Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra is also criticised for allegedly pitting one linguistic community against another at a press conference. The BJP requests the EC to: (a) file an FIR and initiate legal proceedings, (b) bar Ms. Banerjee from campaigning, (c) deploy additional central forces, and (d) increase the presence of IAS and IPS officers as EC observers. Important Facts Election dates for West Bengal: Phase 1 – 23 April 2026; Phase 2 – 29 April 2026 . Results are slated for 4 May 2026 . The complaint cites three specific rallies: Mainaguri (North Bengal), Naxalbari (Darjeeling district), and Pandaveswar (Bardhaman district). The BJP frames the alleged violations as part of a "consistent and alarming pattern of provocation, voter intimidation, and implicit incitement to violence" by the Trinamool Congress ( TMC ). UPSC Relevance Understanding the interplay between national parties and state governments is crucial for GS 2 (Polity) . The case highlights: The role and powers of the EC in enforcing the MCC and ensuring free and fair elections. Legal mechanisms available to political parties, such as filing FIRs and seeking disqualification of candidates. The significance of central forces and the deployment of IAS / IPS officers in election monitoring. Impact of political rhetoric on communal harmony and voter behavior, a topic often examined in GS 4 (Ethics & Integrity) . Way Forward The EC is expected to examine the complaint, decide on the admissibility of FIRs, and consider any restrictions on Ms. Banerjee’s campaign activities. Candidates and parties must adhere strictly to the MCC to avoid legal repercussions and to preserve the credibility of the electoral process. For UPSC aspirants, tracking the EC’s response will provide insight into the practical enforcement of electoral norms and the balance of power between the centre and states.