'Brazenly working like a BJP branch office': Derek O'Brien slams ECI over extensions to rebel TMC faction

Derek O'Brien of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction accused the Election Commission of working like a BJP branch office over extensions to the rebel TMC faction.

The EC sought responses from both factions by July 6 after conflicting claims; the Mamata Banerjee camp complied, while the rebel faction got extensions to July 10 and then July 25.

The TMC split after losing to BJP in the April assembly elections, ending 15 years of rule in West Bengal; over 60 MLAs and 20 Lok Sabha MPs defected to the rebel faction.

O'Brien called the extensions unprecedented, noting his faction responded within the initial three-day deadline.