Mamata Banerjee Criticizes Election Commission Over Special Review Campaign

Mamata Banerjee's Strong Remarks on Election Commission

West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her strong disapproval of the ongoing Special Intensive Review (SIR) campaign, criticizing the Election Commission of India (ECI) for its operations, which she claims are being conducted via WhatsApp. Her comments came after laying the foundation stone for the Gangnagar Bridge over the Muriganga River on Monday. During a public meeting in Gangasagar, Banerjee stated that the Election Commission is functioning like a WhatsApp group, lamenting that such a commission may eventually cease to exist.

Allegations Against the SIR Process

Referencing earlier statements made by TMC's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, the Chief Minister accused the SIR process of being utilized to harass the state of Bengal. Abhishek Banerjee had previously claimed that during the SIR exercise, 45 individuals lost their lives, six were hospitalized, and 29 booth-level officers (BLOs) attempted suicide. He also criticized the Election Commission for failing to address fundamental questions raised by the party.

Concerns Over Voter List Manipulation

Abhishek Banerjee had earlier asserted, "All policies of the Election Commission are being formulated through WhatsApp; it is essentially a WhatsApp commission." The Chief Minister further alleged that names are being arbitrarily removed from voter lists, asserting that "Bengal has never bowed down to you, and it will not bow down now."