Kolkata, 17 February (H.S.) : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday described the Election Commission of India as a “Tughlaqi Commission” and alleged widespread manipulation of voters’ lists in the state.

Using the term “Tughlaqi,” Banerjee alluded to the Delhi Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq, who is historically known for his whimsical decisions.

Speaking to reporters at the state secretariat, the Chief Minister alleged that a female officer from the Bharatiya Janata Party’s IT cell used artificial intelligence to remove 5.8 million voters’ names in West Bengal. She accused the Commission of defying Supreme Court directives, targeting voters, and undermining the democratic process.

Banerjee claimed that during the Special Intensive Revision exercise, voters’ names were being deleted under BJP instructions. “By citing illogical discrepancies, the democratic rights of ordinary people are being taken away, and they are being treated like criminals. Bengal is being targeted to satisfy the BJP,” she said.

Defending the seven Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) who were suspended by the Commission, the Chief Minister said that if state officials are victimised, the state government would provide full protection and promote any officer who is demoted.

Banerjee also claimed that 160 people in the state had lost their lives due to stress and workload related to the Special Intensive Revision process.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh