Abhishek Banerjee Slams Election Commission, Alleges Conspiracy to Disenfranchise ‘Original Bengalis’
Kolkata, 7 August (H.S.) – Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday, accusing it of acting beyond its constitutional mandate and working to benefit the Bharatiya Janata
Abhishek


Kolkata, 7 August (H.S.) – Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday, accusing it of acting beyond its constitutional mandate and working to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His comments came in the wake of the ECI recommending the suspension of two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and two Assistant EROs in West Bengal for allegedly enrolling hundreds of voters without proper verification.

Speaking to reporters at the Kolkata airport before departing for Delhi, Banerjee alleged that the Commission is overstepping its jurisdiction. “The Election Commission only gets administrative control once the Model Code of Conduct is in place, to ensure free and fair elections. But now, well over a year before the polls, the Commission is interfering in the functioning of a democratically elected government,” he said.

Banerjee claimed that the ECI’s actions were part of a larger attempt to secure electoral advantage for the BJP. “There is a conspiracy to deprive ‘original Bengalis’ of their voting rights. This is a shameless move by the Election Commission. The ECI has no authority to act unilaterally on such matters at this stage—it can only advise the government, which is answerable solely to the 12 crore people who elected it,” he added.

The TMC leader also advised the Commission to operate within constitutional limits. In a pointed jibe, he referenced reports of a residential certificate being issued in the name of former U.S. President Donald Trump. “When Trump comes to vote in Bihar, he should be asked why he imposed a 50% tariff,” Banerjee said sarcastically.

The controversy stems from a recent letter sent by the ECI to the state secretariat, recommending action against the four officials over alleged irregularities in the electoral rolls. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already responded to the development, asserting that no punitive measures will be taken against the concerned officers.

The incident has sparked concerns of a broader voter roll purge in West Bengal, similar to what occurred in Bihar, where over 65 lakh names were reportedly deleted during a special revision of the electoral list in Samastipur. Mamata Banerjee had previously criticized the move, alleging that such steps were laying the groundwork for an NRC-like process through the State Inquiry Register (SIR).

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh


 rajesh pande