TMC delegation to meet EC officials to complain about "misuse" of central agencies

Trinamool Congress delegation to meet Election Commission in Delhi, accusing misuse of central agencies against TMC leaders. Led by Derek O'Brien, they seek level playing field for all parties. NIA denies malintent in controversy over alleged attack on its team in West Bengal, sparking political feud with Mamata Banerjee.

A 10-member Trinamool Congress delegation will meet Election Commission officials in New Delhi on Monday to complain about ''misuse'' of central investigating agencies against TMC leaders and party candidates.

The delegation will be led by TMC's Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien and MP Dola Sen is also likely to meet the full bench of the Election Commission.

''The BJP is misusing central agencies against us. The way NIA, ED and CBI are working and targeting TMC leaders is shameful. We would request the EC to ensure a level playing field for all political parties,'' Sen told reporters at the airport before leaving for New Delhi.

The TMC alleged on Sunday an ''unholy alliance'' between the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and BJP ahead of elections, prompting the central investigating agency to deny any mala fide intention and label the entire controversy as ''unfortunate''.

A team of the NIA was allegedly attacked by a mob on Saturday when it went to arrest two main suspects in a 2022 blast case in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district, sparking a political slugfest with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing the investigators of assaulting the villagers.