West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar expressing distress over the mass transfer and deputation of bureaucrats and police officers from the state since the Model Code of Conduct was enforced. She criticized the Election Commission of India for allegedly undermining the authority of the elected state government, stating that such actions risk creating an emergency-like situation or indirect central rule. Banerjee emphasized the importance of maintaining the elected government’s functionality during the election period.
In her letter, Banerjee urged the Election Commission to avoid what she deemed arbitrary actions, many of which she claimed were biased and against public interest. She highlighted the challenges posed by the sudden transfer of officers, especially during the storm-prone months of March and April when local knowledge is crucial for disaster response and relief efforts. Banerjee argued that bringing officers from outside the state to oversee the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal could lead to inefficiencies due to their lack of familiarity with the local conditions.
The Chief Minister raised concerns that the Election Commission’s decisions could lead to administrative instability and disorder in West Bengal, accusing the commission of making biased and unilateral choices that do not align with democratic principles. She warned that any failures in law enforcement or administrative management resulting from these decisions would be the responsibility of the Election Commission, emphasizing the need for a fair and effective electoral process in the state.
