West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission and called the body a "Tughlaqi Commission". The Bengal CM drew parallels with historically controversial rulers Muhammad Bin Tughlaq and Adolf Hitler as she alleged that the central body was being run by a political party.
"This is a torture commission, and they are behaving like Tughlaq, committing atrocities like Hitler. My question is whether the people elect a government, or is it a Tughlaqi commission acting on behalf of a political party," she asked
Banerjee claimed that the EC was targeting the voters and treating them as terrorists. She went on to ask why only "Bengal was being targeted" when there were complaints in Haryana, Bihar and Maharashtra as well. "The EC is doing all this just to please the BJP," she said.
She further said the poll body had defied the top court's orders and targeted voters, undermining the country's democracy. "Citing logical discrepancies, it is snatching away democratic rights and treating ordinary people like terrorists. Bengal is being targeted to satisfy the BJP," the Bengal Chief Minister said.
Why Mamata Banerjee Equated EC With Tughlaqi Regime
The term "Tughlaqi Commission" dates back to the 14th century Mughal Era. Delhi sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was an 18th century king who is remembered for unplanned, sudden decisions.
Mamata Banerjee also alleged that a female member of the BJP IT cell removed 58 lakh voter names by using artificial intelligence. She added that at least 160 people have lost their lives amid the ongoing SIR due to stress and anxiety. During the February 4 hearing, the Bengal Chief Minister, who became the first sitting head of state to be both the petitioner and lawyer, called the Election Commission the "WhatsApp Commission" and claimed the poll body played a micro-observer.
The Chief Minister further mentioned that if the EC penalises Bengal government officers, the TMC will "100 percent protect them".
EC suspends 7 EROs
The jibe came a day after the EC suspended seven assistant electoral registration officers engaged in the SIR exercise in Bengal over "misconduct, dereliction of duty, and misuse of statutory powers". The body also directed the Bengal Chief Secretary to ensure disciplinary actions are initiated against them by their cadre-controlling authorities and asked them to be apprised about this.