West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday delivered a blistering critique of India’s National Election Commission, citing Bangladesh’s recent peaceful elections as a sharp contrast to what she called the “threat culture” of India’s poll body.
Speaking to reporters at the West Bengal Secretariat, Nabanna, Mamata did not mince words. “We have been observing for some days now. This is not an Election Commission – it is a torture commission,” she said, accusing officials of imposing “Tughlaqi” and “Hitlerite-style” control over the electoral process.
Highlighting irregularities in previous elections in Haryana, Bihar, and Maharashtra, she asked why similar administrative measures in Bengal are disproportionately targeting her state. “Even a thief gets a chance to defend himself. Why are EROs suspended without question here?” she demanded.
Mamata held up Bangladesh as a model: “A few days ago, national elections were held there. Everyone expected unrest and trouble. But the elections were peaceful. India’s Election Commission should be ashamed. Their threat culture is destroying democracy — not even in a Tughlaqi state has this happened.”
The Chief Minister’s remarks come ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, the schedule for which is expected to be announced in the coming months. She reiterated her long-standing opposition to the timing and implementation of the Summary Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, which she said undermines the state government’s administrative authority.
Mamata Banerjee’s statements underscore the intensifying political tension between the West Bengal government and India’s Election Commission, as the state gears up for a high-stakes electoral battle.