Kolkata, Feb 16 (NationPress) The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, expressed his approval on Monday regarding the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to suspend seven Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) involved in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal.

Speaking to the media outside the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport prior to his departure for Delhi, Adhikari noted, "Despite the stipulations of the election constitution, the ECI has been advising the Chief Secretary thus far. However, this marks the first occasion where the ECI has utilized its authority within the SIR framework. Following this, the ECI may also choose to file an FIR if deemed necessary," stated the LoP.

The BJP leader further mentioned, "The suspension of these seven individuals is justified. They have accepted fraudulent school certificates and PAN cards during the SIR hearings, which constitutes a severe breach of the 13 guidelines set by the Election Commission."

Adhikari accused the Mamata Banerjee government of orchestrating such malpractices. "This misconduct has occurred under the influence of state secretary Nandini Chakraborty. The DM's or DEO's actions are part of a broader scheme orchestrated by Mamata Banerjee through Nandini Chakraborty," he asserted.

Moreover, Adhikari criticized the state government for failing to address complaints related to Form 7 as directed by the ECI.

"In any state, files from the Election Commission do not escalate to the Chief Minister's desk; the administration is expected to execute them. In West Bengal, however, ECI files are forwarded to the Chief Minister, who intervenes directly—a practice not observed in any other state in India. Even the Prime Minister does not engage in such actions during national elections. This is a unique situation in our state," he claimed.

"Thus, the Election Commission has taken corrective measures for the first time," he remarked.

Adhikari's comments followed the ECI's suspension of the seven AEROs due to allegations of negligence in their duties.

It is noteworthy that last August, the ECI had ordered the state government to suspend and initiate FIRs against two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and two AEROs implicated in electoral roll preparation malpractices proven beyond reasonable doubt.

The office of the West Bengal Chief Secretary faced criticism from the ECI for partially complying with the order by suspending the two EROs and two AEROs but failing to file FIRs against them.