Mamata Banerjee Accuses ECI of Targeting Opposition, ‘Destroying Democracy for BJP’
DEBASISH BHADURI via The Hindu
West Bengal Chief Minister on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the , accusing it of bulldozing the Opposition and weakening the foundations of Indian democracy on behalf of the BJP.
Reacting to the Election Commission’s celebration of National Voters’ Day, Banerjee described the event as a “tragic farce” and alleged that the poll body was acting as “His Master’s Voice” by allegedly curbing voters’ rights.
Her remarks come amid an ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal.
Strong Words Against Poll Panel
In a post on X, Mamata Banerjee accused the Election Commission of working under political pressure and targeting opposition-ruled states.
“On behalf of BJP, their Master, they are busy bulldozing the opposition and destroying the foundation of Indian democracy, and yet they have the guts to celebrate Voters’ Day,” she wrote.
She further alleged that the Commission was systematically attempting to remove eligible voters from electoral rolls through technical and procedural grounds.
Calling the National Voters’ Day event ironic, Banerjee said, “The Commission is busy now in snatching away people’s voting rights, and they have the temerity to celebrate Voters’ Day.”
According to her, the poll body was increasingly using “logical discrepancies” as excuses to deny citizens their constitutional right to vote.
SIR Exercise at the Centre of Dispute
At the heart of Banerjee’s criticism is the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls being carried out in several states, including West Bengal.
The Chief Minister has repeatedly alleged that the SIR process in the state is being conducted in undue haste, without adequate safeguards for voters, particularly those from marginalised and migrant communities.
She claimed that sudden documentation requirements and verification processes were creating confusion and fear among voters.
“EC is finding newer and newer pretexts in the name of discrepancies to harass people and deny them their electoral rights,” Banerjee stated.
Trinamool Congress leaders have also alleged that the revision exercise could lead to large-scale deletion of legitimate voters, potentially affecting electoral outcomes.
Political Context and Reactions
The attack on the Election Commission comes at a time when several opposition parties have raised concerns over the neutrality of constitutional institutions.
Opposition leaders across states have accused central agencies and institutions of favouring the ruling BJP, especially during election cycles.
While the Election Commission has maintained that SIR is a routine administrative exercise aimed at ensuring accuracy and fairness, critics argue that its timing and execution raise serious questions.
So far, the ECI has not issued a detailed response to Banerjee’s latest remarks, though it has earlier defended the SIR as necessary for eliminating duplicate and ineligible entries.
The BJP, on its part, has dismissed Banerjee’s statements as politically motivated and aimed at diverting attention from governance issues in West Bengal.
Democracy and Institutional Trust
Mamata Banerjee’s comments highlight a growing trust deficit between opposition parties and electoral authorities. As one of the country’s most influential regional leaders, her statements are likely to resonate beyond West Bengal.
With multiple state elections and national political developments approaching, the credibility of electoral processes remains a sensitive issue.
Experts note that while electoral reforms are essential, they must be implemented transparently and with extensive consultation to avoid allegations of bias.
The controversy also reflects broader concerns about federalism and the balance of power between the Centre and opposition-ruled states.
Our Thoughts
The confrontation between Mamata Banerjee and the Election Commission underscores a deeper crisis of institutional confidence in Indian politics. When elected leaders openly question the neutrality of constitutional bodies, it signals a worrying erosion of trust.
While the Election Commission has a mandate to ensure clean and accurate voter rolls, the process must be perceived as fair, transparent, and inclusive. Any exercise that appears rushed or poorly communicated risks alienating citizens and fueling political suspicion.
At the same time, opposition leaders must balance criticism with constructive engagement. Blanket accusations, without detailed evidence, can further polarise public discourse and weaken democratic institutions.
For Indian democracy to remain robust, both the poll body and political parties must prioritise transparency, accountability, and dialogue. Electoral integrity is not just about technical accuracy, but also about public confidence.
Without mutual trust and cooperation, even well-intentioned reforms can become flashpoints for political conflict.