Mamata Banerjee Dubs ECI a “Tughlaqi Commission,” Defend Officers Suspended at its Behest

Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, Feb 17: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday once again targeted the Election Commission of India (ECI) dubbing it as “Tughlaqi Commission” acting on the directions of a political party, apparently alluding at the BJP.

She also promised that her government would extend support to the officials allegedly being harassed by the ECI. “What is the reason for suspending the EROs? You asked the EROs who were suspended, what is their crime, what is their fault?” the Chief Minister asked.

In communications dated February 15, the ECI had asked the West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty to ensure disciplinary proceedings against the seven officials for “serious misconduct” during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the State. The commission had earlier this month summoned Ms Chakravorty over several issues, including taking action against the officials.

The State government not only suspended the officials but as per the directive of the ECI registered a First Information Report (FIR) against five of the seven officials. The commission had asked for action against the officials in August 2025 and several letters were exchanged between the ECI and the West Bengal government. On two occasions, the ECI had summoned the Chief Secretary over the issue.

During the press conference, the Chief Minister claimed, “We are forced to take action because the commission told us to. We are with the officials.” She also said the seven suspended officers would do other work apart from election work. Defending the seven assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs), who were suspended by the poll panel, she said, “If Bengal government’s officers are victimised (by the EC), we will 100 per cent protect them and promote those who are demoted.”

She said the Election Commission had now become a “Tughlaqi Commission” and is functioning with clear political bias. “EC has become a ‘Tughlaqi Commission’ run by a political party. Election Commission treating ordinary people like terrorists…On instruction from BJP, the Election Commission is deleting names of Bengal’s voters during SIR,” Mamata alleged. By using the word ‘Tughlaqi’, Banerjee was alluding to the Delhi sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq who was known for whimsical decisions including changing the capital of his sultanate several times.

This comes as political activity across West Bengal is intensifying as the state prepares for assembly elections this year. While parties have stepped up their preparations for the electoral battle, the rising tensions in the state are not solely election-driven. A major reason behind the political churn is the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, which has sparked a wave of allegations and counter-allegations.

“They [ECI] are destroying the democratic fabric of the country and interfering in the functioning of the State government,” Ms Banerjee said. She also accused the commission of threatening officials, including District Magistrates, who are District Electoral Officers. Recently, in a video conference, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar had expressed his displeasure over the role of half a dozen of district magistrates.

“He [the CEC] is telling DMs that their job is in his hands. How long will his job last? This government [Union government] will not last beyond 2026,” she said. The Chief Minister said that over 160 people had lost their lives during the SIR and why action would not be taken against the CEC.

Ms Banerjee, who opposed the SIR exercise from the start in the State, alleged that the ECI on the instructions of the BJP had deleted 58 lakh names in the first phase. The ECI was defying Supreme Court orders, targeting voters, and undermining democracy, she said, raising the issue of the commission refusing to accept financial assistance sanction letters issued under government housing schemes as valid documentation during the SIR.

Earlier this month, the Chief Minister, along with a delegation of Trinamool Congress leaders, met the CEC in New Delhi. Ms Banerjee said the EC should hold elections based on the voter list where names of genuine voters were not deleted and reminded the CEC that people had the final word and “no chair was permanent.”

Ms Banerjee also claimed that a woman activist of the BJP’s IT cell used artificial intelligence tools to remove the names of 58 lakh voters from the electoral rolls in West Bengal. She warned that such actions pose a direct threat to democracy and undermine the very foundation of free and fair elections. “A woman functionary in the BJP IT cell removed 58 lakh voters’ names in Bengal using AI. The EC is defying Supreme Court orders, targeting voters, and undermining democracy,” she said.

She accused the Election Commission of disregarding directions issued by the Supreme Court of India and said the ongoing voter list exercise was being conducted in a manner that targets voters and weakens democratic processes. According to her, the integrity of the electoral system was being compromised at a critical moment for the state.

On voter deletions, she alleged that, on the instructions from the BJP, the EC is deleting the names of West Bengal’s voters during the SIR. “Citing logical discrepancies, it is snatching away democratic rights and treating ordinary people like terrorists. Bengal is being targeted to satisfy the BJP,” the TMC chief alleged.