Mamata Banerjee Vows to Protect Suspended Officials Amid Election Commission Clash
In a sharp escalation of tensions, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared on Tuesday that the seven Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) suspended by the Election Commission will not lose their jobs. All state government officials, these individuals were suspended late on Sunday for alleged misconduct, dereliction of duty, and misuse of statutory powers.
Government Stands Firm Against EC Actions
Banerjee strongly criticized the suspension process, questioning how the officials were penalized without being given a chance to explain their actions. "Even a criminal has the right to defend himself," she asserted, emphasizing her administration's commitment to safeguarding their interests. She declared, "If they demote anyone, we will promote them," and noted that while they won't work on electoral rolls, they will be reassigned to other developmental duties.
Compliance Amid Criticism
Despite the confrontation, the West Bengal government complied with the Election Commission's August 5 order by filing First Information Reports (FIRs) against two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and two AEROs. Additionally, the Basirhat II Block Development Officer (BDO) was suspended. Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty, who had been summoned to Delhi with a Wednesday 5 PM deadline, submitted a compliance report to the poll panel.
Banerjee downplayed the FIRs, referencing her own case in Assam for protesting against the National Register of Citizens in Bengal. "The law will take its course, there is no need to worry about it," she stated, while warning, "We will obey the law. We will follow EC's instructions. But laws, too, have limits and boundaries. If you (EC) cross these boundaries, you will be hit out of the park by the public."
Allegations of Bias and Overreach
Accusing the Election Commission of acting as an agent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Banerjee compared Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to the eccentric emperor Muhammad Bin Tughlaq and Adolf Hitler. "I would like to call the Election Commission 'torture commission.' They operate like Tughlaq and Hitler," she said, questioning whether the public or a "Tughlaq-styled commission" should elect governments.
She alleged that Kumar, as a member of a political party, provides unfair advantages before polls and is "trying to destroy the democratic fabric of India." Banerjee also cited the peaceful Bangladesh election as a contrast, criticizing the EC's "threat culture" for killing democracy.
Concerns Over Voter List Manipulation
Banerjee raised serious concerns about voter list discrepancies, claiming the exact number of deletions remains unclear. She criticized a new dashboard system where errors prevent name uploads, alleging deliberate targeting of minorities, the poor, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. "They have tried to snatch the rights of women in the name of logical discrepancies. Youths are not even getting the chance to defend themselves," she added.
She also accused the EC of violating a Supreme Court order by blocking logins before the February 14 deadline for SIR hearings, affecting around one lakh people.
Readiness for Consequences
Asserting her preparedness for any outcome in this fight for the people, Banerjee said, "I am ready to go to jail. If you want to kill me, then kill me. I am ready to sacrifice anything for people." She reminded the EC that its power is limited and should be exercised within legal boundaries.
Background on EC Directives
The Election Commission had instructed the Bengal government to file FIRs against EROs and AEROs in the Baruipur East and Moyna Assembly constituencies for alleged failures in statutory duty and data security violations. A reminder was sent on January 2, 2026. Additionally, the EC pressed for the suspension of Basirhat II BDO Sumitra Pratim Pradhan for unauthorizedly deploying 11 AEROs, seeking compliance within 48 hours.
