In a dramatic turn of events, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has leveled serious allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Delhi. During her visit, Banerjee expressed her frustration after her attempts to meet with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar were rebuffed, claiming she was not only ignored but also humiliated.
The controversy stems from the ECI’s implementation of the ‘SIR’ (Systematic Voter Registration) initiative in West Bengal, which reportedly led to the deletion of millions of voters from the electoral rolls. Following this, Banerjee sought a meeting with the ECI to discuss the repercussions of the SIR process and to lodge a formal complaint about the disenfranchisement of voters.
After leaving the meeting, Banerjee criticized the CEC’s conduct, stating that she felt disrespected. Speaking to the media outside the ECI office, she highlighted the absurdity of the verification process, questioning how ordinary citizens could be expected to produce birth certificates for their parents as part of their voter registration. She pointed out that this demand is not only unreasonable but has also resulted in grave consequences, including the deaths of over 150 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) due to the pressures associated with the SIR process.
Banerjee further elaborated on the chaos created by the SIR initiative, noting that many families in West Bengal have suffered as a result. She claimed that some individuals have been declared dead in the voter lists despite being alive, a clear indication of the flaws within the verification system. “I brought along 100 individuals who have been incorrectly marked as deceased, even though they are very much alive,” she asserted.
The Chief Minister’s accusations did not go unanswered, as ECI officials dismissed her claims. They stated that TMC (Trinamool Congress) legislators behaved inappropriately during the meeting and that the CEC had adequately responded to Banerjee’s inquiries. They insisted that the discussions were constructive and that the CEC did not ignore her concerns.
The political rivalry escalated further with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) entering the fray. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari ridiculed Banerjee’s allegations, accusing her of staging a drama. He questioned her motives, suggesting that her claims were inconsistent with the realities of what transpired inside the ECI office. Adhikari emphasized that Banerjee’s portrayal of the meeting was misleading and that her attempts to draw the police into the situation were unnecessary.
As the political fallout unfolds, the standoff between Banerjee and the ECI raises serious questions about the electoral process and the integrity of voter registration in India. With tensions running high, it remains to be seen how both the ECI and the West Bengal government will address the ongoing concerns regarding voter suppression and the legitimacy of the electoral rolls.
