- By Shubham Bajpai
- Mon, 24 Nov 2025 06:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In yet another letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee has accused the state Chief Election Officer (CEO) of outsourcing the workforce for key election-related data work, while ignoring the already employed, experienced staff.
She alleged that the move is likely aimed at serving "vested interests". In her letter to the ECI, she said that she was 'constrained' to approach the poll body as she learned that the CEO’s office had asked all the District Election Officers (DEOs) not to use their existing contractual data entry operators or Bangla Sahayata Kendra (BSK) staff for SIR-related activities.
In her letter, which she shared in an X post, she added that the CEO has floated a request for proposal (RfP) to hire 1,050 people, comprising 1,000 data entry operators and 50 software developers for a period of one year.
CM Mamata has objected to the move and asked why the external agency was being hired when the DEOs already have experienced staff, who have experience dealing with similar work.
She stated, "Traditionally, field offices have always hired their own personnel as per requirement. If there is an urgent need, DEOs are fully empowered to undertake such hiring themselves. Why then is the CEO’s office assuming this role? What substantive difference is expected between those already engaged and those to be hired through the agency?"
Alleging the decision to be "at the behest of a political party to serve vested interests," CM Mamata said that the timing of RfP raises legitimate doubts.
BJP alleges political agency involvment in govt matters
The BJP was soon to fire back at Mamata, asking why its "one of politically contracted agencies has penetrated multiple government bodies and sits in official meetings.
Leading the charge, BJP leader Amit Malviya, said, "It is astonishing that you are objecting to an RfP being issued for engaging DEOs. It is widely known that one of your politically contracted agencies has penetrated multiple government bodies, sits in official meetings, and routinely meddles in administrative decisions. There are even allegations that members of this very agency were quietly appointed as DEOs and BSK staff."
"So before pointing fingers, please make public the process you used to select DEOs and BSK operators. If the CEO has issued an RfP today, he has done so exactly as per your own financial rules," he added.
Suvendu Adhikari's 'henchman' charge
West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari also lashed out at Mamata and said, "Why do you assume that the Hon’ble CEC is answerable to you? Don’t confuse him with Rajiva Sinha, who still has blood on his hands from the Panchayat Elections, which he conducted as your henchman."