‘Left in a Huff’, ‘BJP’s Dalal’: Mamata Banerjee’s EC Meeting Ends in Fresh Flashpoint

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi to raise concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The meeting, however, ended in acrimony, with both sides trading sharp allegations.

According to Election Commission officials quoted by PTI, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief “left the meeting in a huff” without listening to the response of the poll panel’s leadership to the issues she had raised.

Speaking to reporters after leaving the Election Commission headquarters, Banerjee launched a fresh attack on the constitutional body, accusing it of working at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

“So many people have died. Who is responsible? The EC is responsible. They are working at the BJP’s behest. They behaved very badly with us. We came here seeking justice and did not get it,” Banerjee said, alleging that the Commission had “lied” to her delegation.

“We will fight it on the ground. You have the power of the BJP, we have the power of the people. They insulted and humiliated us. I have never seen such an arrogant Election Commission,” she added.

She further alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner spoke “with an attitude like a zamindar,” treating elected representatives as “servants.”

How the Meeting Unfolded

In a statement, the TMC said Banerjee attended the meeting wearing a black shawl as a mark of protest. Several party leaders and members of families allegedly affected by the SIR process were also part of the delegation.

Election Commission officials said TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee spoke first, followed by the Chief Minister. They claimed that the points raised were duly noted by CEC Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

However, when the CEC began responding, TMC leaders repeatedly interrupted, an official told PTI.

“She appeared agitated and left the meeting abruptly,” the official claimed.

EC Flags Threats, Vandalism, and Interference

In its statement, the Election Commission said the Chief Election Commissioner stressed that the “rule of law will prevail” and warned that any attempt to take the law into one’s own hands would be dealt with strictly.

CEC Kumar also told the TMC leadership that some of its MLAs were allegedly using abusive and threatening language against Commission officials, including the CEC himself.

He further referred to incidents of vandalism involving electoral registration officers, allegedly by TMC workers and legislators.

“No pressure, obstruction, or interference of any kind should be exerted on officers engaged in SIR work,” Kumar said, according to officials. He also urged the state government to ensure timely payment of honorarium to Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

EC’s Demands from West Bengal Government

The Election Commission outlined several pending issues with the state administration in its statement.

It said it had sought proposals for the appointment of Returning Officers (ROs) on January 20 in line with prescribed criteria, noting that only 67 Assembly constituencies currently have ROs of the rank of Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO/SDM).

On transfers, the Commission alleged that the West Bengal government had shifted three Electoral Roll Observers without consulting the ECI. It said it had sought cancellation of the transfer orders on January 27, 2026, but no action had been taken so far.

The poll body also claimed that the state government had failed to register an FIR against four officials — two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), two Assistant EROs, and a data entry operator — accused of violating statutory duties and data security norms by sharing login credentials with unauthorised persons.