West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a fresh and scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), escalating her protest against the polling schedule for the upcoming Sir assembly by-election. In a strongly-worded letter sent to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Sunday, Banerjee labeled the election dates as "arbitrary and inhumane" and demanded their immediate revision.
Second Letter in Days: Escalating the Confrontation
This marks the second formal communication from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo to the poll body within a short span. Her latest missive follows an initial letter written on January 10, where she first raised objections. The bypoll for the Sir (SC) assembly seat in West Bengal's Bishnupur district is currently scheduled to be held on January 19, with the vote counting set for January 22.
Banerjee's core argument hinges on the proximity of the polling date to two major Bengali festivals. She pointed out that January 17 is Saraswati Puja, a significant day for students and households, and January 15 is Makar Sankranti, celebrated as Poush Sankranti in the state. She contends that holding the election on January 19 disregards the cultural and religious sentiments of the people, as families and political workers would be engaged in festival preparations and celebrations.
The 'Inhumane' Schedule and Allegations of Bias
In her letter, the Chief Minister elaborated on the practical difficulties caused by the schedule. "The poll process, including campaigning, will be severely hampered as people will be preoccupied with the festivals," she stated. She emphasized that this imposes an "unnecessary burden" on voters, election personnel, security forces, and political parties alike.
Beyond the logistical issues, Banerjee's language suggests a deeper accusation of partiality. By using terms like "arbitrary" and "inhumane," she implies that the Commission's decision lacks reasonable justification and empathy. This forms part of a broader pattern where the TMC leadership has frequently criticized the ECI, especially after the intense and often violent panchayat elections in the state last year.
The vacancy in the Sir seat was created following the death of sitting TMC MLA Tapas Roy, who passed away in October 2023. The upcoming bypoll is thus a crucial prestige battle for the ruling party to retain the seat.
Political Repercussions and Awaiting EC's Response
The public confrontation between a sitting Chief Minister and the constitutional body tasked with conducting free and fair elections has significant political ramifications. It sets the stage for a tense electoral atmosphere in West Bengal, especially with the Lok Sabha elections looming later in 2024. Banerjee's aggressive stance is seen as an attempt to frame the narrative and put the Election Commission on the defensive.
As of now, the Election Commission has not issued an official public response to Banerjee's second letter. All eyes are on whether the poll body will stick to its announced schedule or consider the request for rescheduling. The Commission's decision will be closely watched as a test of its autonomy and its operational protocol in the face of strong political pressure.
The key demands and facts from Mamata Banerjee's letter are:
- Date of Letter: Sunday, January 12, 2025.
- Addressed to: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
- Primary Demand: Immediate rescheduling of the Sir bypoll from January 19.
- Key Reason: Clash with Saraswati Puja (Jan 17) and Makar Sankranti/Poush Parbon (Jan 15).
- Key Accusation: The schedule is "arbitrary and inhumane."
The political drama surrounding the Sir bypoll underscores the heightened tensions in West Bengal's electoral landscape and sets a confrontational tone for the election year ahead.
