Election Commission Issues Stern Warning to Bengal Officials Over Poll Preparedness
In a high-stakes review meeting on Monday, the Election Commission's full bench expressed strong dissatisfaction with the poll preparedness in West Bengal. Senior state government officials, along with representatives from the airport and the Reserve Bank of India, faced sharp criticism for alleged negligence and delays in key electoral arrangements.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Blunt Remarks and Directives
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar did not mince words during the session, emphasizing that no official would be spared if negligence was detected. "Everything has a digital footprint. Whether it is a DM, an SP or a police commissioner, no one will be spared if negligence is detected," a source quoted Kumar as saying. He reportedly spoke bluntly with Bengal's Director General of Law and Order, Vineet Goyal, even instructing him to "sit down" while responding to an EC query, highlighting the commission's no-nonsense approach.
Kumar warned officials from 24 state and central agencies, stating, "Take action. Otherwise, you will end up just sitting here with tea." He stressed that the commission would not step back after the election period, adding, "The CEC warned that if deliberate discrepancies or negligence are proven, officials will be placed in a position from which there is no return." In a dramatic moment, he urged immediate action by quoting the 1976 Rod Stewart classic, "Tonight's the night."
Specific Concerns Raised by the Election Commission
The commission raised several critical issues during the meeting:
- Narcotics Advisory Board: Kumar questioned why the state lacked a Narcotics Advisory Board, with state authorities promising action but failing to satisfy the CEC.
- Alcohol Production: The EC instructed the state excise department to ensure alcohol production does not exceed normal levels to prevent misuse during elections.
- Cash Circulation Monitoring: The Reserve Bank of India was criticized for not promptly monitoring cash circulation in coordination with banks, a key measure to curb electoral malpractices.
- Airport Authorities: Airport officials were taken to task for not reporting illegal transactions and were directed to submit an immediate report on such activities.
CM Mamata Banerjee's Fiery Retort and Accusations
Reacting strongly from her Esplanade protest site, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit back at what she termed as "threats" to state officials. "The CEC threatened our officers today. I want to tell him that courage is good but false bravado is not," Banerjee declared. She sarcastically referred to the CEC as "Vanish," likening him to a detergent powder that turns black into white, and questioned his authority post-elections, saying, "I heard he threatened officials with action after May. Where will you be after May? It's ‘His Master's Voice'."
Banerjee also warned sections of the bureaucracy against acting under political pressure, asserting that records of their actions were being maintained. "Records are being maintained. If BJP goes tomorrow, where will you go? I will be the first to transfer you," she stated, accusing previously neutral institutions of now acting in a partisan manner. She further criticized the EC for ignoring the hardships faced by electoral staff, noting, "BLOs, EROs and DEOs worked hard for SIR and many ended their lives under pressure. About 190 people have died, yet you say nothing. You will face the reply for this injustice."
Accusing the CEC of snatching voting rights, Banerjee cautioned, "One day you will have to fall at the feet of these people. Give rights back to those you deprived." She compared Kumar to "Spiderman" and a "super god," mocking his perceived overreach of power.
Election Commission's Defense and Aftermath
In response to the controversy, an EC official clarified that the bench's discussions were aimed at assessing preparedness in a free and fair manner. "Discussions were free and fair. There was no intent to demean anyone; it was to improve things and fill the gaps," the official added. Following the EC meeting, Bengal government officers held a separate session at the state secretariat to address the raised concerns and plan corrective measures.
This confrontation underscores the heightened tensions between the Election Commission and the West Bengal government as the state gears up for upcoming elections, with both sides trading barbs over accountability and electoral integrity.
