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Tensions Flare As TMC Leaders, Election Commission Spar At Poll Review Meeting
The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) were at loggerheads during a crucial review meeting on poll preparedness for the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections held in Kolkata on Monday.
The full bench of the commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, held meetings with political parties to review election preparations and hear their concerns.
However, tensions surfaced during the interaction with TMC leaders. State minister Chandrima Bhattacharya alleged that the CEC behaved rudely with her during the meeting. According to Bhattacharya, the CEC asked her not to shout when she raised concerns.
“He told me not to shout. How can he say this to a woman? We want to believe that the Election Commission is neutral, but the way they are behaving makes it difficult for us to continue believing in that neutrality," Bhattacharya said. She added that when the issue of adjudication was raised, the commission responded by saying that the matter had already been taken to the Supreme Court.
Sources in the Election Commission, however, gave a different version of the exchange. According to EC sources, Bhattacharya had raised her voice during the meeting, following which CEC Gyanesh Kumar asked her to calm down and said, “Madam, please tone down and give your suggestions." When adjudication was mentioned, he reportedly stated that the issue is currently sub-judice.
The incident comes at a time when relations between the TMC government and the Election Commission are at their lowest. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee is currently holding a dharna on the streets of Kolkata even as the commission’s full bench is in the city to review poll preparations.
The commission members arrived in Kolkata on Sunday night. On their way from the airport to the hotel, they were shown black flags twice by Left workers and TMC supporters. On Monday morning, when CEC Gyanesh Kumar visited the Kalighat Kali Temple to offer prayers, protesters again showed black flags, claiming their names had been deleted from the voter list and alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Despite the confrontation, the meeting with political parties otherwise proceeded smoothly, with various parties placing their concerns before the commission.
Issues Raised by TMC
TMC leaders flagged several alleged irregularities in the electoral process:
WhatsApp instructions allegedly being circulated regarding election-related processes.
Logical discrepancies in electoral data.
Discrepancies in Form 6 and Form 7 data.
Unauthorised logins by officials in the system.
Adjudication involving elected representatives such as Shashi Panja and Golam Rabbani.
Alleged deletion of genuine voters from electoral rolls.
BJP’s Demands Before the Commission
The Bharatiya Janata Party also placed several demands before the Election Commission:
The 2026 elections should be violence-free and conducted without fear, and the party submitted 16 demands.
Proper deployment of central forces and ensuring a level playing field for all parties.
Action against Kalyan Banerjee over his controversial remark.
Allegations that the Police Welfare Organisation functions as a frontal body of the TMC.
Polling should be conducted in one phase or at most two phases.
EC’s Response
Election Commission sources said several political parties appreciated the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise being conducted in the state and expressed confidence in the commission.
Parties also urged the commission to ensure strict action against anti-social elements, prevent voter intimidation, and deploy large numbers of Central Armed Police Forces to curb election violence. Concerns were also raised about the possible use of crude bombs, illegal firearms, and money power during polls.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar assured political parties that elections in India are conducted strictly as per law and that the commission will leave no stone unturned to ensure impartial, transparent, and free and fair elections in West Bengal. He reiterated that the commission follows a zero-tolerance policy towards violence and said political parties have assured full cooperation to maintain peace during the elections.
He maintained that the SIR exercise has been carried out in a transparent and unbiased manner, adding that Forms 6, 7, and 8 can still be filed for inclusions, deletions, or corrections in the electoral rolls.
Gyanesh Kumar also sharply reprimanded officials during his opening remarks before the meeting with District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police, and enforcement agencies.
“No other state witnesses such levels of violence. Why do incidents of violence during elections occur only in West Bengal? All political parties have complained to us. This will not be tolerated anymore. Whether you are a District Magistrate or a Police Commissioner, there will be no leniency if any negligence is found. If anyone is found guilty after the elections, the commission will take action."
Source: News18
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