Mamata Banerjee Advocates for CEC Impeachment, Seeks Opposition Consensus
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has made a bold call for the impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing concerns over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in her state. During a press conference at Banga Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday, flanked by individuals allegedly affected by the SIR, Banerjee announced her intention to rally support from other parties within the INDIA bloc on this contentious issue.
TMC Considers Parliamentary Motion Against Election Commissioner
The Trinamool Congress is actively considering moving an impeachment motion in Parliament against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee confirmed that discussions have begun with other INDIA bloc parties, though specifics regarding timing and procedure remain undecided. This move follows Mamata Banerjee's meeting with the CEC in the capital on Monday, part of her broader campaign against the SIR exercise.
Addressing the media, Mamata Banerjee claimed that the electors whose names are being deleted from the electoral rolls are predominantly supporters of her party. "100% are TMC deletions… One or two maybe of other parties for face saving," she asserted, highlighting the political implications of the SIR process.
Political Strategy and Legal Accountability
When questioned about supporting Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's proposal for a retrospective law to hold the CEC accountable, Banerjee responded, "We also want him (CEC Gyanesh Kumar) to be impeached." She acknowledged the numerical challenges but emphasized the importance of recording such efforts in the public interest. "We don't have the numbers, but there is a provision. It would be recorded. If they (Congress) do something like this, we will also discuss with our party MPs. When there is public interest, we work together," she explained.
In response, an Election Commission source noted that while a few Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have died during the SIR exercise across 12 states, the reasons were unrelated to the SIR itself. The source alleged that political pressure from AITC agents to provide incorrect information in enumeration forms has been a contributing factor in some instances.
Mamata Banerjee to Personally Argue SIR Case in Supreme Court
Adding a legal dimension to the controversy, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to appear in person before the Supreme Court on Wednesday to seek permission to argue the SIR case. TMC leaders have filed an application for her to appear as a "party in person," leveraging her LLB degree from Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College under Calcutta University. Although she last practiced law in 2003, her involvement underscores the significance of this issue.
The TMC released a digital poster depicting the CM dressed as a lawyer ascending the steps of the apex court, captioned "People's advocate vs devil's advocate," symbolizing her commitment to challenging the SIR exercise. This development marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing political and legal battle over electoral processes in West Bengal.
The SIR exercise has sparked widespread debate, with Mamata Banerjee's call for impeachment reflecting broader concerns about electoral integrity and political fairness. As discussions with INDIA bloc parties progress, the outcome could have significant implications for future election oversight and accountability mechanisms in India.
