A meeting between representatives of Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar turned tense after leaders of the West Bengal’s ruling party alleged large-scale irregularities in the voter list and questioned the ongoing SIR process.
According to TMC leaders, the confrontation occurred when state ministers Chandrima Bhattacharya and Firhad Hakim raised concerns before CEC regarding the alleged removal of nearly 60 lakh names from the voter list.
The atmosphere of the meeting reportedly became heated when Chandrima questioned discrepancies in the electoral rolls. She later alleged that the CEC interrupted her and raised his voice during the discussion. According to her, he questioned why the TMC had approached the Supreme Court of India over the matter.
Chandrima said she was told not to shout during the exchange and described the tone as harsh. “How can he talk to a woman like this? I have gone to the Supreme Court to protect the rights of the people of my state,” she said after the meeting. She also questioned why the party had been called for discussions if the matter was already under consideration in the Supreme Court.
During the meeting, Firhad Hakim also criticised the commission’s approach, alleging that it was indirectly reinforcing a narrative promoted by the BJP about the presence of foreign infiltrators in West Bengal. He argued that the two-month SIR process had not produced any evidence to support such claims.
Hakim said the ongoing process had created fear among ordinary citizens that their names might be removed from the voter list despite being legitimate Indian voters. He warned that any such action would be unconstitutional and violate the rights of citizens.
TMC representatives, which include forger DGP and Rajya Sabha candidate Rajeev Kumar, also raised questions about the reasons behind the alleged deletion of 60 lakh names due to “factual inconsistencies,” sought clarification over alleged irregularities related to Form 7, and questioned whether the commission was maintaining its neutrality.
The developments have sparked strong reactions within the TMC, with party leaders accusing the Election Commission of non-cooperation. Chandrima and Hakim said they would continue to oppose what they described as attempts to deprive legitimate voters of their electoral rights.
The Election Commission has not yet issued an official statement on the allegations made by the TMC.
Also read: CEC Kumar faces ‘go back’ slogans at Kolkata Kalighat Temple
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