The Election Commission of India (EC) has stirred a political storm in West Bengal by summoning a sitting Trinamool Congress legislator for a hearing. Nandita Choudhary, the MLA from the South Howrah Assembly constituency, has been directed to appear before the commission this Sunday, a move she has vehemently protested and labeled as political targeting.
Shock and Allegations of Political Vendetta
Expressing deep shock over the summons, MLA Nandita Choudhary stated she was unaware of the exact reasons behind the EC's directive. Despite her personal assistant submitting all relevant documents to the commission in protest, the hearing was not canceled. Choudhary has framed this action as a clear case of political vendetta because of her affiliation with the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state.
"I am shocked. I don't know what to say," Choudhary said. "This has been done to fulfil vendetta because I am an elected MLA from the Trinamool. I am compelled to go this time." She issued a strong warning, suggesting that such oppression would backfire against the BJP in the upcoming assembly polls, claiming that people are fed up with such tactics.
The Hearing and Precedents
The hearing is scheduled to take place at the District Library Hall in Howrah Maidan on Sunday. According to Choudhary, the notice was delivered to her Howrah residence through the Booth Level Officer (BLO). This development follows a similar action by the Election Commission, which recently summoned Ajay Bhattacharya, the co-chairman of the Howrah District Council, for an SIR (Suo Motu Inquiry Report) hearing.
The sequence of events has raised eyebrows in political circles, with the Trinamool Congress likely to view it as a concerted effort against its local leaders in Howrah district. The timing, ahead of future electoral battles, adds a significant political dimension to the administrative action.
Nandita Choudhary's Political Legacy
Nandita Choudhary is not a newcomer to Howrah's political landscape. She carries a substantial legacy, being the daughter of the late Ambika Banerjee, a five-time MLA and MP from Howrah. Choudhary herself won the people's mandate in the last West Bengal Assembly election held in 2021 from the South Howrah seat.
Beyond her legislative role, she holds the position of president of the Howrah District Headquarters of the Trinamool Women's Congress, underscoring her influence within the party's organizational structure. This profile makes the EC's summons a high-profile event, potentially impacting local political equations.
The situation remains tense as the scheduled hearing approaches. The outcome of this confrontation between a sitting MLA and the constitutional body tasked with ensuring electoral integrity will be closely watched, setting a potential precedent for similar cases in the volatile political climate of West Bengal.
