West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) addressed the media regarding the controversy surrounding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's planned visit to Kolkata on April 23. She stated that all political parties must submit requests for public meetings through the Suvidha Portal at least 2-7 days in advance. The Congress party alleges that the local administration and police denied permission for Gandhi's visit, acting under the influence of the TMC government. They claim they waited until 6:00 PM for clearance but received none, leading to logistical challenges for the event. Consequently, Congress plans to submit a fresh request for a revised schedule, likely for April 25 or 26. This incident occurs amidst a critical electoral battle in West Bengal, where the Congress is contesting in alliance with the Left Front against the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The elections for the 294-member Assembly will be conducted in two phases, with counting scheduled for May 4. The first phase includes 152 constituencies, while the second covers 142 seats, marking a significant contest for the TMC, which seeks a fourth consecutive term, and the BJP, aiming to gain power after a strong performance in previous elections.