A high-level delegation from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has levelled serious allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of arbitrarily deleting the names of lakhs of voters from the electoral rolls in West Bengal. The party claims this action is designed to unfairly benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.
TMC Leaders Lodge Formal Complaint
On 27 December 2025, a team of senior TMC ministers met with the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Manoj Agarwal, at his office in Kolkata. The delegation included prominent figures such as Chandrima Bhattacharya, Sashi Panja, Aroop Biswas, Manas Bhuniya, and Malay Ghatak. During the meeting, they submitted a detailed memorandum outlining their grievances and demanding immediate corrective action.
Allegations of Systematic Voter Suppression
The core of the TMC's complaint revolves around the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls. The party alleges that the revision process has been manipulated to purge a massive number of legitimate voters, potentially disenfranchising citizens on a large scale. They argue that this purported cleansing of the voter lists is not a routine administrative exercise but a targeted move to alter the democratic landscape in favour of the ruling party at the Centre.
The TMC memorandum specifically contends that the deletions lack transparency and proper procedure. Party leaders expressed concern that many citizens, unaware of the deletions, may find themselves unable to cast their votes in future elections. This, they claim, strikes at the heart of democratic participation.
Political Repercussions and Next Steps
This accusation marks a significant escalation in the political tussle in West Bengal, where the TMC and BJP are the principal rivals. By taking the issue directly to the CEO's office, the TMC has sought to officially record its protest and put pressure on the election machinery. The party is likely to use this issue to mobilise its support base and frame the narrative around electoral fairness.
The ball is now in the court of the Election Commission. How CEO Manoj Agarwal and the ECI respond to these serious allegations will be closely watched. The incident underscores the heightened political sensitivity surrounding electoral rolls and the administration of elections in one of India's most politically vibrant states. The TMC has indicated it will pursue the matter vigorously to ensure, in its words, the protection of voters' rights.
