Mamata Raises Concerns Over Poll Body’s Actions, Calls for Fairness Ahead of Elections

Kolkata, March 2026 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sharply criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of overstepping constitutional limits and acting in a “biased and arbitrary” manner ahead of upcoming elections in the state. In a strongly worded letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Banerjee alleged that the poll body’s recent actions have disrupted governance and undermined democratic norms.

In her letter, the Chief Minister expressed deep anguish over what she described as the Commission’s conduct since the initiation of a “Special Intensive Revision” process. She claimed that the ECI had disregarded ground realities and public welfare while functioning in a manner that appeared partisan. Banerjee further stated that despite raising these concerns multiple times with the Commission, she had received no response, leaving her with no option but to approach the Supreme Court of India to safeguard democratic and fundamental rights.

“The functioning of the Election Commission has deeply hurt me,” she wrote, adding that in her view, the body had “crossed all limits of propriety and constitutional decorum.” She pointed out that the Supreme Court had taken note of the hardships faced by the public due to what she termed “arbitrary actions” of the Commission and had issued directions that are currently being followed.

A major point of contention highlighted by Banerjee was the large-scale transfer of senior administrative and police officials immediately after the announcement of elections. She alleged that key officers—including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police, district magistrates, and senior police officials—were abruptly removed or reassigned without any valid explanation or indication of violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

According to Banerjee, such sweeping transfers have disrupted the administrative machinery of the state at a critical time. She argued that, as per established norms, these officers are deemed to be on deputation to the Election Commission during elections, and their sudden removal without due justification raises serious concerns about procedural fairness.

The Chief Minister further accused the Commission of taking “hasty, unilateral and biased decisions” that could push the state toward administrative instability. She warned that the actions of the poll body could create conditions resembling “indirect central rule,” thereby undermining the principles of cooperative federalism.

“I am compelled to conclude that these actions reflect a deliberate attempt to invoke Article 324 while simultaneously creating a situation that may lead West Bengal into administrative instability and disorder,” Banerjee stated. She cautioned that such unprecedented decisions are not conducive to a healthy democracy and could erode the functioning of an elected government.

Banerjee also emphasised that even as elections approach, the elected state government must be allowed to function without interference. She warned that attempts to weaken or render the government ineffective could lead to a situation akin to an undeclared Emergency or indirect imposition of central rule, which she described as “deeply concerning and unfortunate.”

Reiterating her stance, she urged the Election Commission to refrain from what she termed “arbitrary, unilateral and biased actions” that go against public interest and democratic values.

The controversy intensified as the Commission proceeded with multiple transfers across the state, including district magistrates, police commissioners, and superintendents of police, despite earlier objections raised by the state government. Banerjee noted that she had written to the Chief Election Commissioner earlier in the week, but received no response, and the transfers were not halted.

Taking her protest to social media, the Chief Minister again voiced her strong opposition, claiming that the current situation amounts to “nothing less than an undeclared Emergency and indirect President’s Rule.” In a detailed post, she alleged that more than 50 top officials—including senior IAS and IPS officers—had been removed abruptly following the election notification.

“This is not an administrative exercise, but political interference at the highest level,” she wrote, adding that institutions expected to function impartially were being subjected to systematic political influence. She described the developments as a direct assault on the Constitution.

The unfolding confrontation between the West Bengal government and the Election Commission has added a new dimension to the political climate in the state. As elections draw closer, the dispute raises critical questions about the balance of power between constitutional authorities, the autonomy of elected governments, and the safeguarding of democratic principles in India’s federal structure.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)