West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the Election Commission targeted people like terrorists.
| Photo Credit: ANI
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) dubbed the Election Commission of India (ECI) as ‘Tughlaqi Commission’ and said her government would extend support to the officials being targeted by the ECI.
“What is the reason for suspending the EROs? You asked the EROs who were suspended, what is their crime, what is their fault?” the Chief Minister asked.
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In communications dated February 15, the ECI asked West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty to ensure disciplinary proceedings against the seven officials for “serious misconduct” during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the State. The commission had earlier this month summoned Ms. Chakravorty over several issues, including taking action against the officials. The State government not only suspended the officials but as per the directive of the ECI registered a First Information Report (FIR) against five of the seven officials. The commission had asked for action against the officials in August 2025 and several letters were exchanged between the ECI and the West Bengal government. On two occasions, the ECI had summoned the Chief Secretary over the issue.
During the press conference, the Chief Minister claimed, “We are forced to take action because the commission told us to. We are with the officials.” She also said the seven suspended officers would do other work apart from election work.
Ms. Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the ECI, referring to the constitutional body as “Tuglaqi commission”, on several occasions working at the behest of a political party. By referring to Tughlaqi or Tuglaq, the Trinamool Congress chairperson was referring to Delhi sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq who was known for whimsical decisions.
“They [ECI] are destroying the democratic fabric of the country and interfering in the functioning of the State government,” Ms. Banerjee said.
She also accused the commission of threatening officials, including District Magistrates, who are District Electoral Officers. Recently, in a video conference, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar had expressed his displeasure over the role of half a dozen of district magistrates.
“He [the CEC] is telling DMs that their job is in his hands. How long will his job last? This government [Union government] will not last beyond 2026,” she said. The Chief Minister said that over 160 people had lost their lives during the SIR and why action would not be taken against the CEC.
Ms. Banerjee, who opposed the SIR exercise from the start in the State, alleged that the ECI on the instructions of the BJP had deleted 58 lakh names in the first phase.
The ECI was defying Supreme Court orders, targeting voters, and undermining democracy, she said, raising the issue of the commission refusing to accept financial assistance sanction letters issued under government housing schemes as valid documentation during the SIR.
Earlier this month, the Chief Minister, along with a delegation of Trinamool Congress leaders, met the CEC in New Delhi. Ms. Banerjee said the EC should hold elections based on the voter list where names of genuine voters were not deleted and reminded the CEC that people had the final word and “no chair was permanent”.
Published – February 17, 2026 05:19 pm IST
