Opposition unity builds around ECI row as rivals TMC-CPI(M) call for wider outreach
West Bengal rivals TMC and CPI(M) join forces to demand the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over the controversial SIR electoral process.
The political landscape in West Bengal has witnessed a dramatic shift as long-time rivals the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] have joined forces. The two parties are building a united front against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, following intense controversy regarding the Election Commission's functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Mamata Banerjee demands CEC's ouster
Addressing a massive rally in Hooghly, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the poll body. In a sharp verbal jab, she referred to the CEC as "Vanish Kumar," demanding his immediate removal from office.
"Vanish Kumar must go. Until he leaves, our movement continues and will continue," Banerjee declared. She accused the Election Commission of attempting to disenfranchise voters and "looting" votes, specifically targeting West Bengal through the SIR exercise.
Banerjee provided staggering figures to support her allegations of electoral manipulation:
- She claimed that 92 lakh names were struck off in West Bengal alone under the guise of the SIR process.
- She noted that while legal intervention helped reinstate 32 lakh names, 27 lakh names remained excluded in the state.
- The TMC leader alleged that across the entire country, nearly 13 crore people have fallen victim to this process.
"You have taken Bengal; we will take Delhi," she added, expressing doubt regarding the central government's survival until 2029 if these practices continue.
Unlikely alliance: TMC and CPI(M) bridge the gap
In a move that has surprised many, the CPI(M) and TMC—fierce competitors for decades—have opened communication channels. CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby revealed that he had spoken with Mamata Banerjee to discuss a broader movement against the "unilateral" approach of the Election Commission.
MA Baby stated that Banerjee "responded instantly" to the initiative to reach out to political parties beyond the existing INDIA bloc. He mentioned that the two leaders share a history dating back to their time in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, respectively.
The CPI(M) is now actively reaching out to other entities, such as the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), to build a wider coalition. Dipankar Bhattacharya, General Secretary of CPI(ML) Liberation, indicated that an INDIA bloc meeting is scheduled for September 30 to deliberate on the SIR exercise and the Election Commission's conduct.
Escalating allegations from Congress leaders
The controversy has spread across the political spectrum, with senior Congress leaders adding weight to the calls for accountability:
- Rahul Gandhi: Accused the CEC of "match-fixing elections," citing reports that the CEC had allegedly approached a former Kerala Chief Secretary to contest for the BJP in 2026.
- DK Shivakumar: The Karnataka Chief Minister took a hardline stance, demanding that the Chief Election Officer be arrested, dismissed, and that a complete re-verification of processes be conducted.
The root of the controversy: The SIR report
The current storm was ignited by a report in The Indian Express, which suggested internal friction within the Election Commission. The report claimed that the decisions regarding the SIR process were not unanimous, alleging that two of the three Election Commissioners—Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi—had repeatedly raised objections to orders issued without their knowledge.
While the Election Commission has maintained that its decisions regarding the SIR process were unanimous, the allegations of procedural irregularities have provided the Opposition with a unified platform to demand systemic changes and the resignation of the CEC.