In a bold statement from Balurghat, Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar cautioned electoral officers in West Bengal: aligning with Trinamool Congress (TMC) could cost them their jobs. This comes hot on the heels of the Election Commission’s suspension of seven AEROs involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive.
Majumdar detailed the suspensions in blocks like Ghatal, Samsherganj, and Sutia, where officials allegedly pushed ineligible names into voter lists defying protocols. ‘Technology and AI now make spotting fraud effortless,’ he told journalists, reinforcing his prior calls for unbiased duty.
‘Work for TMC, and the EC will suspend you—no job security,’ he warned sharply. Majumdar called for strict adherence to democratic norms, transparency, and impartiality to fortify India’s electoral framework.
Echoing this, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari praised the move from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport. ‘EC finally asserted authority in SIR, ignoring chief secretary advice,’ he said. Adhikari lambasted the AEROs for endorsing bogus documents like fake school certificates and PAN cards, breaching 13 key directives.
He leveled serious charges against the state machinery, claiming Nandini Chakraborty pressured district magistrates and electoral officers under Mamata Banerjee’s direction. ‘This racket is government-orchestrated,’ Adhikari alleged.
The suspensions mark a pivotal moment, potentially paving the way for criminal probes via FIRs. As Bengal’s SIR process intensifies, the ECI’s interventions highlight vulnerabilities in voter list management. Officials now navigate a high-stakes environment where partisanship invites swift repercussions, ensuring cleaner rolls for upcoming elections.