Mamata alleges ECI using BJP IT-cell apps illegally for SIR

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday escalated her confrontation with the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the poll panel was illegally using mobile applications developed by the BJP’s IT cell to conduct the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in the state.

The BJP rejected the charge as baseless and politically motivated. Speaking to reporters before concluding her two-day visit to Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district to review preparations for the annual Gangasagar Mela, Banerjee accused the ECI of adopting what she described as “wrong, unconstitutional and undemocratic” methods in carrying out the revision exercise ahead of next year’s Assembly elections.

“The ECI is resorting to all kinds of wrong moves for conducting the SIR. It is marking eligible voters as dead, and forcing the elderly, ill and indisposed to attend hearings. It is making use of mobile apps developed by the BJP’s IT cell for the exercise. This is illegal, unconstitutional and undemocratic. This cannot go on,” the CM alleged.