Kolkata, Nov 24 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has proposed to recruit 1,000 data-entry operators and 50 software developers for a duration of one year amidst the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal. However, the BJP asserts that this initiative is not confined to West Bengal alone, but is being implemented across all states and Union Territories where similar revision exercises are taking place.

The BJP's statement was made in reaction to a letter sent earlier by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, where she expressed her disapproval of the commission's recruitment plans in West Bengal.

Amit Malviya, head of BJP's Information Technology Cell and the party's central observer for West Bengal, took to social media to respond to the Chief Minister’s concerns. He emphasized that similar appointments were made during the SIR in Bihar earlier this year, indicating that the same procedure is being applied in other regions concurrently with West Bengal.

Malviya found it surprising that the Chief Minister raised objections regarding these appointments, especially considering allegations that one of the Trinamool Congress' contracted agencies has infiltrated various state government bodies, participated in official meetings, and influenced administrative decisions.

He remarked, “There are even claims that individuals from this agency were discreetly appointed as DEOs and BSK personnel.” While he did not specify names, it was evident he was alluding to the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), established by Prashant Kishor, which has been handling election strategies for the Trinamool Congress since the 2021 assembly elections in West Bengal.

Malviya continued, “Before casting accusations, clarify the selection process for DEOs and BSK operators. The CEO’s request for proposals today aligns with your own financial regulations. You have no grounds to criticize him for adhering to processes meant to ensure fairness and equal opportunity—principles you have consistently disregarded.”

Addressing the Chief Minister's objections regarding the ECI's plan to set up polling stations within private housing complexes for the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections, Malviya pointed out that any location can qualify as a polling station if it facilitates voting for all.

He posed the question, “Similar booths have been established in high-rise buildings in Delhi and other places. Why does the ECI's initiative to create additional booths for easier voting suddenly concern you? No existing booths are being removed. What exactly troubles you—the enhanced access to voting, or the unraveling of the narrative you are attempting to promote?”