Mamata Banerjee Slams Election Commission, Claims CEC ‘Shouted’ During SIR Meeting Row

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has intensified her criticism of the Election Commission of India, alleging that senior officials, including Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, behaved disrespectfully and shouted at her during a recent meeting regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state. Her remarks came a day after the poll panel firmly denied any allegations of misconduct, stating that the interaction was conducted professionally.

Addressing reporters in Delhi, Banerjee said the Election Commission’s explanation was merely an attempt to “save face.” According to her, the nearly 90-minute meeting saw the Trinamool Congress delegation raising multiple concerns about the SIR process, particularly allegations of large-scale voter deletions. She claimed that the Chief Election Commissioner humiliated the delegation during the discussion and dismissed their concerns.

The Election Commission, however, issued a rebuttal stating that Banerjee’s claims were inaccurate. Officials maintained that the meeting involved detailed discussions, with Kumar responding patiently to queries raised by the Chief Minister and her party representatives. The poll body also clarified that it had advised against the use of force against ground workers involved in the revision exercise, seeking to ensure a smooth and transparent process.

At the centre of the controversy are Banerjee’s allegations that the SIR exercise disproportionately targets voters associated with her party. She claimed that a significant number of Trinamool Congress supporters were being removed from electoral rolls compared to voters linked to other parties. According to her, minor discrepancies such as spelling differences or title variations were being used as grounds for deleting names, raising concerns about fairness ahead of upcoming political developments.

The dispute has now moved beyond political exchanges and could reach the judiciary. Sources indicate that Banerjee may approach the Supreme Court if a petition challenging the SIR exercise is taken up. The escalation reflects growing tensions between the state government and the central poll authority over electoral procedures and oversight.

During the press conference, Banerjee also described the meeting as disappointing, claiming that her delegation had arrived with goodwill but eventually chose to boycott the interaction due to what she described as disrespectful behaviour. The Election Commission has rejected these allegations, reiterating its commitment to neutrality and adherence to electoral rules.

The ongoing standoff highlights the increasing politicisation of electoral processes in India, where voter roll revisions and administrative decisions often become flashpoints between political parties and regulatory institutions. With both sides holding firm to their positions, the controversy is likely to remain a significant issue in the national political discourse in the coming weeks.