"Not satisfied with EC's response": Dipankar Bhattacharya slams EC
CPI(ML) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya calls the Election Commission's clarification an admission of guilt amid the SIR row.
CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission (EC), describing its recent clarification regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as an "admission of guilt." The political leader expressed deep dissatisfaction with the poll body's explanation following reports of internal friction among its top officials.
The Core of the Controversy
The tension within the Election Commission surfaced following reports suggesting that two of the three Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, had repeatedly raised objections to certain decisions and orders. It was alleged that these orders were being issued without their knowledge.
Addressing the situation, Bhattacharya did not mince words. "We are not satisfied at all. This is a confession... It's an admission of guilt. Admission of crime, and after that they have no right to remain in the post," he stated, highlighting the gravity of the alleged procedural lapses.
INDIA Bloc to Convene Meeting on September 30
As opposition parties begin to coalesce around this issue, Bhattacharya revealed that the INDIA bloc is scheduled to hold a meeting on September 30. While the meeting had originally been planned for August, the delay has now paved the way for a broader discussion on the integrity of the electoral process.
The upcoming discussions are expected to go beyond just the INDIA alliance. Bhattacharya indicated a much larger movement:
- Broad Coalition: The meeting will include members of the INDIA bloc as well as smaller political parties outside the alliance.
- Civil Society Involvement: There are plans to involve civil society members in the dialogue.
- Nationwide Movement: The goal is to launch a nationwide movement to address these concerns.
The Election Commission's Defense
In response to the allegations, the Election Commission issued a press note to clarify its position. The poll body maintained that the decisions regarding the SIR schedule were made with unanimous approval. According to the EC:
- The order issued on June 24, 2025, covering all States and UTs (starting with Bihar and West Bengal), was unanimously approved.
- The schedules for various phases of the SIR were also passed with unanimous consent.
- The Commission noted that the Supreme Court of India upheld the relevant orders on May 27, 2026.
Regarding the specific dispute involving the Cabinet Secretary, the EC clarified that the correspondence was not about policy matters or the IT division, but rather concerned the functioning of an officer on deputation. The Commission stated that work redistribution orders issued by the officer in question were not actually implemented following objections from the two Commissioners.
Next Steps in the SIR Process
To ensure accuracy during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision, the Commission announced that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct door-to-door visits. These visits are aimed at electors who have received notices due to being unmapped or having logical discrepancies in their records. The EC added that, where necessary, hearings can be conducted online to facilitate the collection of documents and verification.