permission denied

Congress attacks TMC after permission denied for Rahul Gandhi's Kolkata rally ahead of West Bengal polls

Congress launched a sharp attack on the TMC-led West Bengal government after permission was denied for Rahul Gandhi's rally in Kolkata ahead of the first phase of assembly elections. Party sources accused the local police of acting at the behest of the Mamata Banerjee government, calling it "pure political insecurity masked as administration." The West Bengal Congress chief claimed the TMC and BJP were "rattled" by Gandhi's well-attended rallies in Malda and Murshidabad. Meanwhile, state minister Shashi Panja pointed out that the model code of conduct is in place and permission must be sought through the Suvidha Portal 2-7 days in advance. The 294-member assembly will vote in two phases with counting on May 4.