Mamata Banerjee Accuses Election Commission of 'Murder of Democracy' Over Voter Lists
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India on Friday, accusing the constitutional body of committing "nothing short of murder of democracy" by failing to publish supplementary voters' lists despite Supreme Court directives.
Supreme Court Orders Ignored, Says CM
Speaking to reporters at Kolkata airport before departing for election rallies in Andal, Banerjee expressed deep frustration over the EC's inaction. "The Supreme Court directed the EC to publish the supplementary lists, but we have not received the first one yet. It is not available in public domain. This is truly unfortunate," she stated emphatically.
The Chief Minister questioned the timeline, pointing out that the final voters' list was published on February 28, yet the supplementary lists ordered by the apex court remain inaccessible to common voters. "What is happening now has surpassed even the atrocious rule of Hitler," Banerjee declared, escalating her criticism of the electoral process.
Allegations of Selective Voter Deletions
Banerjee presented alarming statistics to support her claims of systematic voter suppression:
- In one booth under Suti assembly constituency, 400 voters have been deleted out of a total of 500
- In a booth in Basirhat, approximately 400 electors have been deleted out of roughly 600
- Lakhs of names from specific communities have been selectively removed
- In numerous families, only one member remains on voters' lists while four others have been deleted
"Who has done this? People will definitely demand answers," Banerjee challenged, adding that "nobody has the right to snatch away people's democratic rights."
Demands for Transparency and Tribunal Setup
The Chief Minister outlined specific demands to address what she called electoral injustice:
- Immediate publication of supplementary voter lists in accessible formats
- Establishment of tribunals in every district to review deletions
- Transparency about which names have been retained versus removed
- Free legal assistance for wrongfully deleted voters
"They should reveal whose names have been retained and whose names have been removed. For those wrongfully deleted, tribunals should be set up in every district to help them get re-enrolled in the voters' list. We will provide free legal assistance to all such people," Banerjee promised.
Broader Criticism of Electoral Process
Banerjee didn't limit her criticism to voter lists alone. She questioned the entire electoral framework, suggesting particular communities were being targeted in what she described as systematic disenfranchisement. "Does BJP think they are zamindars? They should be ashamed of selling this country. Do they want to snatch away people's voting rights and then hold an election?" she asked rhetorically.
The Chief Minister also commented on domestic fuel policies, criticizing the central government's reduction of special additional excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per liter as insufficient. "Let the prices of diesel and petrol come down first. It's like giving a Rs 400 discount on a saree after increasing its price by Rs 1,000. I don't want people to suffer," she analogized.
Concerns About Resource Allocation During Elections
Addressing practical concerns during election season, Banerjee emphasized that "lakhs of people will come to Bengal for election duty from outside," but stressed this should not affect essential supplies for state residents. She specifically mentioned ensuring adequate LPG distribution so that "people here do not suffer while LPG is supplied to them."
The state government has increased kerosene allocation for distribution through ration shops to support families still using traditional stoves, though Banerjee noted most households now rely on gas cylinders.
Throughout her statements, Banerjee repeatedly challenged the Election Commission to demonstrate "some courage" and fulfill its constitutional responsibilities, framing the voter list issue as fundamental to democratic integrity in the upcoming elections.
