The district Malda Trinamul leadership filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India on Thursday, accusing Khagen Murmu, the BJP candidate of Malda North, of violating the IPC and the model code of conduct by making derogatory comments against his Trinamul rival Prasun Banerjee.

Asis Kundu, the district Trinamul spokesperson, complained that Murmu, also the sitting MP, made baseless allegations against Banerjee, a former IPS.

“He (Murmu) has alleged that our candidate had a private meeting with police and administrative officers of the district. No such meeting was held.... He passed certain personal remarks against Banerjee that are derogatory...,” said Kundu, who has sent the letter to the chief electoral officer of the state.

Voting in Malda North and South Lok Sabha seats will be held on May 7. In 2019, the BJP won the North and the Congress the South.

In the letter, Kundu also said Murmu's “false and misleading statements” before the general election amounted to an offence under Section 171G of the IPC (false statement in connection with an election).

“Further, such conduct also falls foul of the provisions of The Representation of The People Act, 1951, the rules framed and the guidelines issued by EC,” says the letter, which also referred to the model code asking for abstention from “criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion".

On March 1 this year, the EC issued an advisory that said making “false statements, utterances without factual basis aimed at misleading the voters” and “low-level personal attacks to insult rivals” were a violation of the code and stern action could be taken against such candidates.

“We have requested that Khagen Murmu be stopped from campaigning, holding public meetings or speaking to the media till an inquiry is made and a directive passed by the CEO’s office,” Kundu added.

“We have sent a written plea to the EC to remove 10 officers in the district, including the DM and the SP. Free and fair elections will not be possible otherwise,” the BJP MP said on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Trinamul wrote to the CEO on Murmu's "violations". "We hope the EC takes necessary steps against Murmu,” said Banerjee.

CEO’s office sources confirmed receipt of both complaints. “The district magistrate has been asked to conduct an inquiry and submit a comprehensive report, which will be sent to the EC for the final call,” said a source.