Mamata asks party BLAs to collect details on micro-observers; says ECI ‘appointed them without telling the state’
Alleging political bias, the Bengal Chief Minister said, ‘They (ECI) are updating the BLO app every day. Whatever the BJP is saying, they are doing the next day’
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI)for appointing micro-observers for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearings allegedly without informing the state government. She directed her party’s Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to gather details about the observers, including where they work and reside.
ECI Secretary Sujeet Kumar Mishra had approved the proposal for micro roll observers on Friday, delegating the power to appoint them to the Bengal Chief Electoral Officer.
Addressing BLAs at a party meeting at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Banerjee said, “I heard they (ECI) appointed Central government employees for the hearing. They didn’t even inform us. I need detailed information about where they reside and where they work. You people (BLAs) have to take details and send them to me. They don’t even know our language. How will they do the hearing?”
Alleging political bias, Banerjee said, “They (ECI) are updating the BLO app every day. Whatever the BJP is saying, they are doing the next day.” She added, “Everything is being controlled by the Home Minister (Amit Shah). He is also controlling the Prime Minister. If rioters rule the country, whatever is happening now will continue.”
Banerjee laid out detailed instructions for BLAs during SIR hearings. She said, “The Election Commission mapping is absolutely wrong and it’s a blunder. All BLAs have to take detailed information on names excluded as death, absentee or shifted voters. If anyone’s name is wrongly excluded, they have to fill up Form 6 with Annexure IV. Our BLO has to help them and submit forms to the Election Registration Officer (ERO).”
She further instructed BLAs to verify unmapped voters: “Check whether they received hearing notices and whether they have identity proof among the eleven mentioned by the ECI. If they don’t have, arrange permanent residence certificates, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or OBC certificates. Those who have logical discrepancies… our party workers have to help them get necessary documents.”
Banerjee said party camps would be set up at every booth to assist voters. She also appealed to migrant workers to attend hearings, saying, “If their employers do not give leave, quit that work. We will give you an allowance and arrange work for you here.”
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She advised party workers against winter picnics this year, saying, “Don’t do picnics this year. We will have a picnic after winning the election.”
To minority voters, Banerjee said, “The BJP is trying to divide you. They are using money to divide you. You people should be united and stop BJP’s way to Bengal.”
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
