TMC, ECI clash over West Bengal polls

The tussle between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) took an ugly turn on Monday, when the former accused the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and two election commissioners of disrespecting women.

Earlier in the day, the ECI cautioned State authorities that any negligence in maintaining law and order or ensuring free and fair elections would invite strict action. According to the officials, the CEC sought an explanation from the State police on why West Bengal does not have a Narcotics Advisory Committee like other states. When Director General (Law and Order) Vineet Goyal attempted to respond, officials said he was asked to ensure immediate corrective steps.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused CEC of threatening State officials during a meeting, warning that “false bravado” by constitutional authorities was unacceptable. Her remarks came against the backdrop of the Election Commission’s full bench meeting with senior administrative and police officials of the State earlier in the day.  

Bengal minister and TMC leader 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.

“I am a woman, and I was told ‘don’t shout’. Why should I not raise my voice when we are speaking about people’s rights?” Bhattacharya told reporters after the meeting. She said whenever the party attempted to raise concerns over the SIR process, the commission responded by saying the matter was sub-judice in the Supreme Court (SC).

“If that is the case, why did they call us for the meeting? When they have invited us, they must listen to what we have to say,” she said. Defending the party’s move to approach the SC, Bhattacharya said it was the responsibility of the ruling party to protect the rights of citizens.

During the meeting with the poll body, the political parties have urged the Commission to conduct assembly polls in one or two phases here. The BJP delegation, however, raised a different set of issues during its separate meeting with the commission, focusing on the security environment and the conduct of the polls.

“We demanded a one, two or three-phase election, but not more,” BJP leader Jagannath Chattopadhyay said after the meeting. The CPI(M), which also met the poll panel separately, demanded that the elections be conducted in a single phase, arguing that multi-phase polls allow anti-social elements to move from one district to another and influence the process.

Earlier, after a full bench of the commission, led by CEC Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, held meetings with political parties at a hotel in New Town on the eastern fringes of Kolkata, to review election preparations and hear their concerns.

According to ECI officials, parties also raised concerns about poll violence, the use of crude bombs and illegal firearms, and the need for adequate deployment of Central Armed Police Forces.