The Trinamool Congress filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday, alleging that Union home minister Amit Shah had violated the model code of conduct (MCC) during the inauguration of a new passenger terminal at the Petrapole land port on Sunday.

The ruling party in Bengal accused Shah of delivering a “politically coloured remark” at the official event in Petrapole. By-elections are set to take place for the Naihati and Haroa Assembly constituencies in North 24-Parganas district where Petrapole is located.

In a letter to the ECI, the Trinamool leadership claimed that Shah had made “slanderous remarks” aimed at maligning the party and chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The TMC requested the commission to showcause Shah and called for measures to prevent him and other BJP leaders from further violations of the MCC ahead of the by-elections for six seats in the state.

The bypolls are scheduled for November 13 in the constituencies of Sitai, Madarihat, Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur and Taldangra. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.

At the Petrapole land port on Sunday, Shah inaugurated the new passenger terminal and a dedicated cargo gate, “Maitri Dwar.”

In his inaugural speech, he criticised the Trinamool government for failing to curb “infiltration” in Bengal, urging voters to seek “parivartan (change)” in the 2026 Assembly elections as a path to ensure “lasting peace” and “progress” in the state.

In his letter addressed to the chief electoral officer of Bengal, Trinamool state president Subrata Bakshi said: “During his official speech at the Petrapole event, Shah made slanderous comments about the TMC and party chairperson Mamata Banerjee with an intention to defame.”

Bakshi argued that Shah’s remarks, including his call for a “parivartan in 2026,” were irrelevant to the occasion and seemed intended to blur the line between official duties and election campaigning.

The TMC called the comments a “blatant violation” of the MCC, which came into effect on October 15 after the by-elections were announced.

Reacting to the TMC complaint, BJP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Shamik Bhattacharya said: “Amit Shah provided comprehensive details of funds allocated by the Centre, dismissing Trinamool’s unfounded allegations of neglect. The Trinamool Congress is now reacting (to Shah’s speech) with a complaint to the commission out of frustration.”