New Delhi

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Monday responded to queries raised by Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who led a party delegation to the Election Commission, explaining that the rule of law will prevail in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and that anyone taking the law into their own hands would be dealt with strictly as per rules, Election Commission of India (ECI) sources said.

According to the sources, despite the polite conduct of the Chief Election Commissioner and the two Election Commissioners, Mamata Banerjee allegedly raised “false allegations, misbehaved, thumped the table and left” the meeting.

“The CEC responded to her queries and explained that the rule of law shall prevail and anybody taking the law into their own hands shall be dealt with strictly as per the provisions of law and powers vested in the Commission,” a source said.

The sources further alleged that TMC MLAs are openly using abusive and threatening language against the Election Commission, particularly against the Chief Election Commissioner, and are also threatening election officials.

“There have been incidents of vandalisation of the ERO (SDO/BDO) offices by TMC workers and MLAs,” a source said.

The Commission reiterated that no pressure, obstruction or interference of any kind should be exerted on officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The sources also flagged delays in payment of honorarium to Booth Level Officers (BLOs), stating that only Rs 7,000 out of Rs 18,000 per BLO has been released so far, and stressed that the remaining amount should be paid without further delay.

They also pointed out that the EROs/AEROs deployed are not of the rank of Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs)/Tehsildars, as required.

The Commission had sought a proposal for the appointment of Returning Officers (ROs) on January 20, as per prescribed criteria—SDM/SDO/Revenue Divisional Officer from General Administration. However, at present, only 67 Assembly constituencies have ROs of the requisite rank, the sources said.

The ECI sources further alleged that the West Bengal government transferred three Electoral Roll Observers without consulting the Commission. The ECI had requested cancellation of the transfer orders on January 27, but no action has been reported so far.

Additionally, the West Bengal government has not registered FIRs against four officers (two EROs and two AEROs) and one Data Entry Operator for allegedly failing to perform statutory duties and violating data security norms by sharing login credentials with unauthorised persons, the sources said.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters outside the Election Commission, Mamata Banerjee sharply criticised CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

“I am very sad. I have been involved in politics in Delhi for a very long time. I was a minister four times and an MP seven times. I have never seen such an Election Commissioner who is so arrogant, who is such a liar. I told him that I respect your chair because no chair is permanent for anyone. One day you have to go,” she said.

Alleging that West Bengal was being selectively targeted, Banerjee added, “Why is Bengal being targeted? Elections are a festival in a democracy, but you deleted the names of 58 lakh people and did not allow them to defend themselves.”

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West Bengal is scheduled to go to the polls in the first half of this year.