West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the state’s Chief Electoral Officer regarding the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR). This marks the second petition filed on this issue. Previously, Trinamool Congress members had also filed a petition in the apex court. The hearing for the Trinamool Congress MPs’ petition is scheduled for this week.
Mamata Banerjee’s petition accuses the ECI of political bias and authoritarian conduct during the SIR. She expressed concerns about the impartiality and democratic values of the constitutional institution. Seeking the apex court’s intervention, Banerjee aims to prompt necessary actions from the ECI. The Chief Minister’s move comes as she is in New Delhi to meet the Chief Election Commissioner and address her objections on February 2.
Political observers note that Banerjee’s direct petition to the apex court creates multiple challenges for the ECI. She has also questioned the authority of special roll observers and micro-observers appointed solely in West Bengal for the SIR. Additionally, Banerjee plans to engage with opposition party leaders to garner broader political support against the SIR. In the West Bengal Assembly, the Treasury bench is set to condemn the SIR during the upcoming Budget session.
