Mamata Banerjee attacks election commission as ED links her to ₹30 lakh royalty payment, Congress leader sets alliance terms

What happened: Banerjee’s attack on the Election Commission and ED’s royalty claim

On October 1, 2026, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee used a New Delhi press briefing to accuse the Election Commission of stealing voters’ rights and to question the immunity granted to the Chief Election Commissioner under the 2023 law. She said, “We believe that this time, the BJP will go and we do not have to wait up to 2029,” adding that she expected the Narendra Modi government to fall “very soon.”

A day later, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced that its money‑laundering probe into the “Durga Puja preview shows” case had uncovered a transfer of nearly ₹30 lakh from the proprietorship concern of former tourism minister Indranil Sen – Octave Records – to Banerjee’s bank accounts. The agency said Sen described the payment as a “royalty” but offered no further explanation.

Who is involved: political players and agencies

• Mamata Banerjee – former chief minister, leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), target of the ED’s royalty claim.
• Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury – senior Congress leader who met Banerjee’s camp and said any alliance must be predicated on clearing “political and legal baggage.”
• Indranil Sen – ex‑West Bengal tourism minister whose firm Octave Records allegedly sent the royalty payment.
• Election Commission of India (ECI) – body criticised by Banerjee; its chief, Gyanesh Kumar, was also referenced.
• Enforcement Directorate – agency conducting the money‑laundering investigation.
• Anirban Banerjee, Sayantan Basu, Madan Mitra – spokespeople who reacted to the ED statement.

Congress’ conditional offer

During the same week, Adhir Chowdhury told Banerjee that the Congress would consider a partnership only if the TMC resolved outstanding legal cases, including the ED enquiry. He said the party would “accept your leadership in Bengal” but warned that “baggage” must be cleared first. The stance reflects Congress’ broader strategy of positioning itself as a clean‑handed alternative while courting disgruntled TMC members.

What happens next: legal and electoral implications

The ED’s revelation adds fresh pressure on Banerjee ahead of the 2026 West Bengal assembly election. If the royalty transfer is deemed illicit, it could trigger further asset freezes and court battles. Meanwhile, Banerjee’s challenge to the ECI may resonate with opposition parties dissatisfied with voter‑roll revisions, but it also risks alienating moderate voters.

Congress leader Chowdhury’s demand for a “clean slate” could shape pre‑election alliance talks. Should the TMC clear the legal hurdles, a Congress‑TMC tie‑up could consolidate anti‑BJP votes; a deadlock would likely keep the opposition fragmented, benefitting the BJP and its incumbent Modi government, whose tenure the TMC chief predicts will end before 2029.

Key numbers at a glance

• ₹30 lakh – amount transferred from Octave Records to Banerjee’s accounts, labelled as royalty.
• >₹3.8 crore – cash deposited into Sen’s accounts during his tenure, according to the ED.
• October 1, 2026 – date of Banerjee’s press conference and ED announcement.
• 2029 – year by which the Modi government’s third term would normally end; Banerjee says it will fall sooner.

The convergence of an electoral‑process critique, a money‑laundering probe, and alliance negotiations makes the coming weeks a litmus test for Banerjee’s political resilience and for Congress’ leverage in West Bengal politics.