Mamata Banerjee demands impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner over SIR row, seeks Opposition unity

Her remarks came a day after she and a Trinamool Congress delegation walked out of a meeting with the Election Commission, alleging that the CEC’s conduct during the discussion was humiliating and dismissive.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Banerjee responded to a question on whether the TMC supported Rahul Gandhi’s proposal of a retrospective law to hold the Chief Election Commissioner accountable.

“We also want him (Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar) to be impeached,” Banerjee said.

Acknowledging the numerical challenges, she added, “We don’t have numbers, but there is a provision. It would be recorded. If they (Congress) do something like this, we will also discuss with our party MPs. When there is public interest, we work together.”

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At the same time, Banerjee made it clear that the TMC would contest the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections on its own, while challenging the BJP to fight electorally rather than “using” constitutional bodies.

Allegation of Targeted Voter Deletions

Flanked by people she described as victims of the SIR process, Banerjee alleged that voter deletions in West Bengal were overwhelmingly affecting supporters of her party.

“100 per cent are TMC deletions… One or two maybe of other parties for face saving…,” she claimed.

She further alleged that the deletions disproportionately impacted Dalits, tribals, minorities and other marginalised groups.

“In my state, there are 23 per cent SC, 6 per cent tribes, 33 per cent Muslims, shall I say get out from my state?” Banerjee asked.

‘Chairs Are Not Permanent’

Questioning what she described as excessive central intervention in Bengal, Banerjee said the state was being subjected to extraordinary pressure.

“Are we going to start a super emergency in Bengal… all India? Only Bengal they cannot control. All leaders from different districts are in Bengal, all agencies are sitting in Bengal. They are disturbing people, from industry to traders, to politicians and commoners…,” she said.

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She added a pointed reminder: “But sometimes we forget, chairs are not permanent but people are permanent in democracy.”

Fallout From EC Meeting

Recounting the meeting with the Election Commission held on Monday, Banerjee accused the CEC of refusing to engage substantively with her delegation.

“Whatever we ask, he never replied, he was threatening us,” she alleged.

She said the delegation had expected courtesy.

“We expected humbleness, we are very humble, we even took flowers and sweets. We conveyed our regards to them, but the way they behaved with us, we boycotted them,” Banerjee said.

‘They Are All SIR Victims’

Referring to those present at the press conference, Banerjee said they represented a much larger group affected by the revision exercise.

“People sitting behind us are all SIR victims. I could have brought lakhs of people here,” she said.

She further alleged, “They are not giving an opportunity to SIR victims to defend themselves.”

Questions Over Timing and Scope of SIR

Banerjee also questioned the timing of the exercise, asking why it was being conducted just months before Assembly elections.

“Why is SIR being done on the eve of the election. Is it possible to do it within 2-3 months without any planning,” she asked.

She alleged selective implementation, pointing out that Assam, a BJP-ruled state, was excluded.

“Out of four election-bound states, they’re doing SIR in three states and not in BJP-ruled Assam,” Banerjee said.

Matter Before Supreme Court

The Trinamool Congress chief has also approached the Supreme Court against the SIR exercise. The top court is already hearing petitions filed by TMC leaders and others challenging the revision process.