Rahul Gandhi's Bengal Rallies Denied Nod; Congress Slams TMC

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's scheduled election rallies in Kolkata and Serampore, West Bengal, for April 23, 2026, were cancelled after the party failed to secure the necessary police permission. This development has ignited a political row, with the Indian National Congress squarely blaming the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government for allegedly orchestrating the denial of administrative clearances. According to Congress party sources, they had sought permission for three rallies for Gandhi, with proposed venues in Kolkata including Ramlila Park, Park Circus ground, or Metiabruz, and a separate rally planned at Serampore stadium. However, late on April 22, the party announced that all permissions had been denied, making it impossible to proceed with the events. Bengal Congress secretary Roahan Mitra stated that police had not granted permission for even a single rally, expressing surprise given that other parties were reportedly allowed to hold events. The Congress launched a scathing attack on the TMC-led state government, alleging that the local administration and police were acting at the behest of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to obstruct their campaigning efforts. West Bengal Congress chief Subhankar Sarkar further claimed that both the Trinamool and the BJP were 'rattled' by the significant crowds that had attended Rahul Gandhi's previous rallies in Malda and Murshidabad. In a social media post, the Congress asserted that denying Rahul's visit was 'pure insecurity masked as administration' and declared, 'Bengal is not Mamata Banerjee's or TMC's private estate!' In response to the allegations, Trinamool Congress minister Shashi Panja offered a different perspective, emphasizing that the model code of conduct was in effect in the state. Panja clarified that applications for public meetings must be submitted through the Election Commission's 'Suvidha Portal' between two and seven days prior to the event, a rule applicable to all political parties. She further stated that a caretaker government, as is the case during elections, could not be held accountable for the cancellation, directing inquiries to the Election Commission itself. This incident is not an isolated one. During Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in January 2024, the Congress had also faced difficulties in securing permissions for certain public meetings in West Bengal, with the administration denying permission for an overnight stay at Bhaluka Irrigation Bungalow in Malda. Historically, there have been instances, even during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the Mamata Banerjee-led government denied permission for Rahul Gandhi's helicopter to land for a rally in Siliguri, as well as for rallies of senior BJP leaders. This recurring pattern underscores the often-strained relationship between the Congress and the TMC, despite their national alliance in the INDIA bloc. The cancellation of the April 23 rallies comes at a crucial juncture, with West Bengal gearing up for its Assembly elections. Polling for the 294-member assembly is scheduled to be conducted in multiple phases, with the first phase taking place on April 23 and vote counting slated for May 4. The Congress, which is contesting the Bengal polls independently after two decades, is attempting to establish a triangular contest against the dominant Trinamool-BJP rivalry. Congress sources indicate that the party remains keen for Rahul Gandhi to campaign in the state and plans to submit a fresh request for administrative permission for a revised schedule, likely for either April 25 or 26. Interestingly, the controversy around rally permissions has also affected the ruling party. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself recently accused the Election Commission of bias, claiming that she was denied permission to hold a public meeting in Kolkata's Collin Lane area, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting received clearance within six hours. This suggests a broader environment of tight regulation and political friction surrounding election-related gatherings in the state. The denial of permission for Rahul Gandhi's rallies highlights the intense political climate in West Bengal and the deepening fissures within the INDIA bloc at the state level, even as the parties attempt to project a united front nationally. The allegations of political Vendetta from Congress and the TMC's insistence on procedural adherence demonstrate the complex dynamics at play in the lead-up to the crucial assembly elections.

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