Kolkata, 12 August (H.S.) – The standoff between the West Bengal Secretariat at Nabanna and the Election Commission of India has escalated sharply after the state government refused to comply with the Commission’s directive to suspend four officials and register FIRs against them. In response, the Election Commission has summoned West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to appear in person at its New Delhi office by 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to sources, the officials in question — Barui Pur East (137) constituency ERO Devottam Dutta Choudhury, Assistant AERO Tathagata Mondal, Mayna ERO Biplab Sarkar, AERO Sudipta Das, and Data Entry Operator Surjit Haldar — were accused of irregularities in the voter registration process. The Commission had ordered their suspension and instructed that FIRs be lodged under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

However, in a letter to the Commission on Monday, Chief Secretary Manoj Pant stated that only two officials — Data Entry Operator Surjit Haldar of Barui Pur East and ERO Sudipta Das of Mayna — had been relieved from election duties. The suspension and FIR directives, he said, would not be implemented, arguing that such action could demoralise government officers.

The Election Commission expressed displeasure over the state government’s stance and issued the summons to Pant. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier openly opposed the Commission’s order, declaring that she would not allow punitive action against any officials in this matter.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh