Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen was called for a hearing by the Election Commission in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress claimed on Tuesday.
The claim was made by Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee at a public rally in Birbhum, the economist’s home district, amid the party’s ongoing face-off with the Election Commission over the SIR exercise.
Moments after the claim, sources in the Election Commission said there was no requirement for Amartya Sen to appear before the poll body.
According to sources, a mismatch in the system led to a computer-generated notice being issued due to a spelling error in the enumeration form. The Commission has asked the concerned booth-level officer (BLO) to correct the error.
No SIR Notice Received at Sen’s Residence
Sources in Amartya Sen’s Trust said no SIR notice has been received at the Nobel laureate’s residence in Bolpur so far.
They said there had been no official communication requiring Sen to appear before the Election Commission.
Amartya Sen casts his ballot in Shantiniketan, the town founded by Rabindranath Tagore.
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He last voted in 2014 and continues to hold a valid voter identity card, according to available information.
Abhishek Banerjee Targets EC and BJP at Birbhum Rally
At the Birbhum rally, Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool’s national general secretary and nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, criticised the Election Commission and the BJP over what he described as targeting of people in West Bengal.
He also claimed that Trinamool MP and actor Dev, cricketer Md Shami, and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen had been served hearing notices under the SIR exercise.
Trinamool Moves Supreme Court Over SIR Exercise
The Trinamool Congress approached the Supreme Court on Tuesday seeking action against the Election Commission.
The party alleged that the SIR exercise is being carried out in an unorganised, non-transparent, and haphazard manner across West Bengal.
