In a dramatic confrontation that has escalated political tensions, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday stormed out of a crucial meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The heated exchange centered on the contentious Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in her state, with Banerjee leveling serious allegations against the poll body.
Allegations of Humiliation and BJP Bias
Speaking to reporters outside Nirvachan Sadan, where a heavy police presence was noted, Banerjee claimed that the Election Commission had "humiliated and insulted" the Trinamool Congress delegation. She went further, asserting that the EC was acting as the "dalal" (broker) of the Bharatiya Janata Party, a charge she repeated multiple times during her impassioned address.
A Warning to the CEC
Banerjee revealed that she had issued a stark warning to CEC Gyanesh Kumar during the meeting. "I told him we respect your chair, but no chair is permanent for anybody. One day you have to go," she stated, drawing a pointed comparison to former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's sudden resignation last year. She cautioned Kumar that he might "end up like Jagdeep Dhankhar," implying a similar fate if he continued on his current path.
Delegation and Symbolic Protest
The Chief Minister was accompanied by a significant delegation, including party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, MP Kalyan Banerjee, and twelve individuals from families allegedly affected by the SIR process in Bengal. In a show of protest, all members wore black shawls, symbolizing their grievance. The party has formally submitted a memorandum outlining its concerns to the Election Commission.
Grave Claims About SIR Impact
Reiterating her previous allegations, Banerjee claimed that over 150 people have died due to the SIR process. She detailed that she had brought "100 people to Delhi of which 50 have lost a family member due to SIR and 50 have been marked dead despite being alive." This, she argued, highlighted the severe human cost of the electoral roll revisions.
Walkout and Accusations of Injustice
Explaining the delegation's decision to walk out, Banerjee said they had come to the meeting "with the hope of getting justice, but that did not happen." She dismissed the EC's responses to TMC's concerns as "bluff and garbage of lies," emphasizing her deep disappointment with the proceedings.
Direct Accusations Against the CEC
In some of her harshest remarks, Banerjee criticized CEC Gyanesh Kumar personally, stating, "I have not seen a CEC like him. He is arrogant and a liar." She alleged that Kumar insisted everything he did was right, showing no willingness to address the delegation's grievances.
Broader Allegations of Electoral Manipulation
Banerjee expanded her criticism to accuse the Election Commission of acting "on directions of BJP," a pattern she claimed was reminiscent of Dhankhar's actions. On the specifics of the SIR in Bengal, she argued, "You (EC) are not doing inclusion; you are doing deletion." She provided startling figures, alleging that after removing 58 lakh voters, the EC plans to delete another 1.4 crore voters, putting a total of 2 crore voters under mismatch category.
Political Counterattack and Defiance
Turning her fire on the BJP, Banerjee accused the party of winning elections through manipulation in states like Bihar, Haryana, and Maharashtra. However, she struck a defiant note, asserting, "But TMC is strong. If we want, I can bring lakhs of people to Delhi," signaling her readiness for a larger political battle.
As the controversy deepens, Banerjee's walkout and sharp accusations have set the stage for a prolonged confrontation between the Trinamool Congress and the Election Commission, with significant implications for the electoral process in West Bengal and beyond.
