EC rejects TMC’s request over size of delegation, Abhishek seeks livestream of meet
The TMC’s request for an appointment with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal was rejected by the Election Commission after the latter insisted on meeting a five-member delegation, instead of 10. In a letter to the TMC, the EC wrote: […]
The TMC’s request for an appointment with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal was rejected by the Election Commission after the latter insisted on meeting a five-member delegation, instead of 10.
In a letter to the TMC, the EC wrote: “The Commission always welcomes regular interaction with the political parties for a constructive dialogue… Accordingly, the Commission has considered the party’s request and decided to give an appointment to the delegation of TMC, comprising an authorised representative of the party along with four other party members for a meeting on November 28 at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi.”
Soon after, TMC general secretary and MP from Diamond Harbour Abhishek Banerjee slammed the EC for insisting on meeting a five-member delegation and dared the poll panel to stream the meeting live.
“Time has been sought for a delegation of 10 MPs. They are representatives ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, unlike the CEC and ECs, who are hand-picked by the Government of India. These selective leaks portraying the EC as “transparent” and “cordial” are nothing but a manufactured facade,” Abhishek, who is considered Number 2 in the party, posted on X.
“If the @ECISVEEP is genuinely transparent, why is it scared to face just 10 MPs? Hold the meeting openly. TELECAST IT LIVE and answer the five straightforward, legitimate questions that the AITC will place before you. Is the Election Commission willing to prove its transparency or does it only function behind closed doors?” he asked.
The TMC’s letter to the EC on Tuesday listed the names of 10 leaders who would attend the meeting. The list included Lok Sabha MPs Satabdi Roy, Kalyan Banerjee, Pratima Mondal, Sajda Ahmed, and Mahua Moitra, and Rajya Sabha MPs Dola Sen, Mamata Thakur, Saket Gokhale, and Prakash Chik Barik, besides Derek O’Brien, the leader of the TMC in the Rajya Sabha.
“There is no way we are going to agree to the limit on the number of members in the delegation imposed by the EC. A 10-member delegation would go for the meeting,” a senior TMC leader said.
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The request for a TMC delegation meeting will be held against the backdrop of Mamata Banerjee writing to CEC Kumar, demanding “immediate intervention” in two recent issues.
She referred to the state chief electoral officer’s (CEO) direction to district election officers not to engage contractual data-entry operators and Bangla Sahayata Kendra staff for the SIR or other poll-related work.
The other matter is a proposal of the EC to set up polling booths inside private residential complexes.
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
