West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission, alleging that its officials were threatening her government officials and working under political influence even before the announcement of assembly election dates. He also said that the BJP is playing with fire in the name of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list and warned that any attempt to tamper with the voter list would amount to betrayal of democracy.
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The TMC supremo said in a press conference at the state secretariat ‘Nabanna’ that the Election Commission is threatening Bengal government officials. We will not tolerate this. Questioning the conduct of Election Commission officials visiting the state, Banerjee wondered how they could call state government officials before the election schedule was announced. Assembly elections are to be held in the state next year.
He said that the election dates in Bengal are yet to be announced; How can Election Commission officials visit the state and call government officials? Apparently referring to West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Aggarwal, Banerjee claimed that an Election Commission official overseeing the SIR process in the state “has many allegations himself” and is “appointing corrupt officials”.
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He claimed that he himself is accused of corruption and there is a conspiracy going on to cut votes in the name of ‘SIR’; I have proof.” He further added, “I hope he will not betray the country and democracy. The Chief Minister alleged that this ‘SIR’ process is not what it seems. It is being used to carry out exercises like NRC (National Register of Citizens) in West Bengal.