TMC Leader Levels Serious Allegations Against Chief Election Commissioner
Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has made startling claims following a meeting with the full bench of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The meeting, held on 01 January 2026, concluded with Banerjee alleging that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar displayed an aggressive demeanour and failed to provide satisfactory answers to crucial queries.
Allegations of Aggression and Evasion
Emerging from the high-level meeting, Abhishek Banerjee addressed the media with a series of grievances. He stated that the conduct of CEC Gyanesh Kumar was notably confrontational. The TMC leader emphasised that his delegation had sought clear explanations regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, a process that has been a point of contention.
"The CEC was aggressive in his tone and failed to answer our specific queries on the SIR process," Banerjee was quoted as saying. This allegation points to a significant communication breakdown between the poll panel and one of Bengal's major political parties during a critical pre-election period.
Bengal CEO Dismisses Complaints Against Officials
In a related development, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal has officially dismissed allegations made in several police complaints filed against officials of the election body. These complaints, believed to have been lodged by political entities, accused certain poll body officials of misconduct and partiality.
The CEO's office, after reviewing the matters, found the allegations to be without merit and dismissed them. This action reinforces the commission's stance on maintaining the integrity of its officials while navigating the politically charged atmosphere in the state.
Political Repercussions and Next Steps
The public airing of grievances by a senior leader like Abhishek Banerjee is likely to escalate tensions between the ruling TMC in West Bengal and the constitutional body tasked with conducting free and fair elections. The focus on the SIR process is particularly sensitive, as revisions to voter lists can have a direct impact on electoral outcomes.
This incident, dated 01 January 2026, sets a contentious tone for the election machinery's engagement with political parties in the state. It remains to be seen how the Election Commission will respond to these specific charges of aggression and whether further clarifications on the SIR process will be offered to assuage the TMC's concerns.
