Abhishek Banerjee, the National General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Member of Parliament, has directed sharp criticism at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. During a protest led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on March 10, Banerjee expressed his discontent over the recent deaths linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, labeling Kumar’s demeanor as one lacking shame.

He stated that Kumar arrived in Kolkata with an attitude reflective of someone triumphant despite serious issues at hand. Banerjee pointed out that over 5,000 hotels are available in Kolkata and took issue with Kumar’s choice to stay in a hotel frequently used by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including prominent figures like Amit Shah.

Election Commission’s Stance on Upcoming Assembly Elections

In the lead-up to the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has reviewed its preparations and conveyed a firm stance on addressing violence and intimidation relating to the electoral process. Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, participated in a comprehensive meeting in Kolkata with representatives from recognized national and state political parties, as well as senior administrative and police officials. These discussions included input from multiple parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party, the Indian National Congress, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), among others.

Focus on Transparency in the Special Intensive Revision Exercise

During the meeting, Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the Commission’s commitment to conducting the Special Intensive Revision exercise transparently. The goal is to ensure that all eligible voters are included in the electoral rolls while preventing ineligible individuals from being added.

He noted that Forms 6, 7, and 8 remain available for submissions regarding voter additions, deletions, or corrections, highlighting the Commission’s effort to maintain inclusivity and accuracy in the electoral process.

TMC’s Allegations Against Election Commission and BJP

In conjunction with the protests, the TMC raised allegations against both the BJP and the Election Commission, accusing them of engaging in activities that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process. Mamata Banerjee’s party claimed that the SIR process is designed to systematically target legitimate voters, suggesting that it is an attempt to carry out ‘silent invisible rigging’ by removing genuine names from the electoral rolls. These accusations are part of a broader concern regarding the influences that might compromise the elections in West Bengal, as political tensions continue to rise ahead of the polls.

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