Kolkata: Monirul Islam, Trinamool Congress MLA from Farakka, on Wednesday issued violent threats against the Election Commission as tensions rise over
the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of West Bengal’s voter lists, months ahead of the Assembly election.
The Farakka MLA also appeared to refer to the contentious law that grants lifetime protection from prosecution to the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners for decisions taken during their official duties.
“Break the Commission’s waist with lathis”
Using crude language, he targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged the poll panel was “harassing” people in Bengal to “please the Bharatiya Janata Party”.
Opposition leaders have claimed the SIR is aimed at helping the BJP secure electoral gains.
In his remarks, Islam said the Commission should be “broken with a stick” and warned of physical action against its officials. He also made a chilling threat against Kumar, saying he would “drag him from beneath the earth”.
“You are playing with people but staying inside a protected shield,” Islam said, adding that Election Commission officials would not remain “inside a bubble”.
Other Trinamool leaders echo aggressive tone
Calls for confrontation over the voter re-verification drive have also come from senior Trinamool figures, including Abhishek Banerjee, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and the party’s second-in-command.
In October, Banerjee urged party workers to mount an all-out pushback against BJP leaders intervening in the exercise, asking them to “gherao” local BJP workers and demand documents of their “father’s and grandfather’s certificate”.
Congress hits out at Mamata Banerjee
Islam’s comments drew an immediate response from Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who said the episode showed a “breakdown in governance” under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
“Everything is happening on Mamata Banerjee’s direct instructions,” Chowdhury alleged, claiming that key issues such as education, health, jobs and industries had been pushed aside ahead of the election.
“There is no discussion on people’s problems… only political intimidation,” he said, adding that the Chief Minister had created an environment where the SIR alone was being projected as deciding people’s futures.
INDIA bloc partners at odds
Chowdhury’s sharp remarks have also highlighted the continuing tension between the Trinamool and the Congress, despite both parties being part of the INDIA bloc.
While they are allies on paper, the two parties have remained at odds on several issues, including seat-sharing arrangements, as elections approach.
Violence reported in Islam’s constituency
The Trinamool leader’s remarks came days after violence was reported in his constituency, where vandals targeted the workplace of the block development officer (BDO).
The protest was linked to alleged “harassment” of voters during the re-verification process, including demands for additional details from already registered voters.
BJP leader Amit Malviya claimed the mob was “engineered” by Islam.
SIR turns major flashpoint
The voter re-verification exercise has emerged as a key flashpoint in the state, drawing in the Trinamool, the BJP, and the Election Commission. The Supreme Court has also become involved in the dispute.
The Trinamool has alleged that the SIR is a ploy to delete lakhs of legitimate voters, particularly those likely to support the party. The Election Commission, however, has maintained that such revision drives fall within its constitutional mandate.
