West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 | TMC issuing fake press cards to its workers to influence voters: BJP's Suvendu Adhikari

Kolkata: Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Friday alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress was issuing "fake press identification cards" to its workers to gain access to polling stations and manipulate the election process.

The allegation came a day after the TMC accused the BJP of violating the poll code by "launching a scheme called 'Matrishakti Bhorsa Card', promising financial assistance to women, and distributing forms across constituencies in the final days before polling".

It termed the move as the "BJP's electoral bribery" and demanded action against its leaders.

On Friday, senior BJP leader Adhikari, in a post on X, alleged the TMC, in collaboration with political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee, was issuing "fake press identification cards" to party workers.

He claimed that these individuals were "posing as journalists" to gain access to sensitive locations, including polling stations and administrative hubs, "to influence voters and manipulate the election process".

"These pseudo-journalists are being strategically placed to carry out illegal activities under media immunity," Adhikari alleged on X.

The BJP leader further urged the poll panel to conduct a thorough verification of all recently issued press credentials across the state and ensure that only journalists from recognised media organisations are allowed near polling booths.

The TMC is yet to respond to the allegation.