“Tughlaqi Commission…”: Mamata Banerjee Slams ECI, Accuses the Poll Body of Acting at BJP’s Behest

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), dubbing it a “Tughlaqi Commission” run by the BJP, and accusing it of undermining democracy through its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state.

“This is not democracy, this is Tughlaqi rule,” Banerjee asserted, alleging that the poll body was functioning under the influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She claimed that large-scale deletions from the electoral rolls had taken place without due process. “A woman functionary in the BJP IT cell removed 58 lakh voters’ names in Bengal using AI. The Election Commission is defying Supreme Court orders, targeting voters and undermining democracy,” she alleged, describing the situation as a growing “threat culture”.

Citing examples from her own constituency, Banerjee said, “In my constituency they have deleted 40,000 voters’ names unilaterally,” adding that the names were struck off without any hearing. She accused a person she identified as “Seema Khanna”, whom she described as a retired individual linked to the BJP, of “deleting names while sitting in the EC office”. “Even a murderer gets a chance to defend himself,” Banerjee said, questioning the fairness of the process adopted by the Commission.

The Chief Minister also objected to the appointment of new observers during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. “They do not have any position in the Representation of the People Act and they are BJP people who have been appointed through the back door,” she said. She further alleged that a senior EC IT official was secretly carrying out deletions. “A lady planted by the BJP is using AI to delete names of genuine voters from the voters’ list,” Banerjee claimed, adding that the Commission was not following directives of the Supreme Court.

Framing the issue as an attack on democratic rights, she said the EC was “snatching away democratic rights and treating ordinary people like terrorists”. She questioned the timing of the Special Intensive Revision, asking why it was undertaken close to elections and during the festive season. Banerjee also alleged discrimination, claiming that Bihar had been granted procedural relaxations that were not extended to West Bengal. “Why are the same rules not applied uniformly? Why is Bengal being discriminated against?” she asked.

Maintaining that she was prepared for a fair contest, Banerjee said, “I challenge them to fight politically and democratically. Our organisation is so strong we know what is going on.” She also defended state election officers who reportedly clashed with the Commission during the revision process and vowed to stand by them. “If Bengal government officers are victimised, we will 100 per cent protect them and promote those who are demoted,” she said.

Throughout her address, Banerjee repeatedly accused the BJP of influencing the Election Commission and reiterated her demand that the poll body adhere to court orders and democratic norms.​