West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cautioned state bureaucrats and police officers not to yield to pressure from the Election Commission of India or Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Without directly naming Kumar, Banerjee emphasized that officers should handle matters wisely and not succumb to threats. She criticized the ECI’s coercive actions and questioned the sustainability of such pressure beyond May.
Banerjee’s remarks came after reports emerged of a tense meeting between ECI officials and nodal officers from various agencies regarding the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal. The Chief Minister expressed concerns over biased actions by central agencies under the current BJP-led government and warned of consequences for those supporting the ruling party.
Addressing a gathering in Kolkata, Banerjee vowed to continue her indefinite protest against the Special Intensive Revision issue. She affirmed her commitment to safeguarding genuine voters in West Bengal and pledged to resist any attempts to manipulate the electoral process.
