Kolkata, March 16 (NationPress) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vehemently criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday following a significant overhaul within the state administration. Late-night changes included the transfers of Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and Home Secretary J.P. Meena. Several senior police personnel, such as the Director General of Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, were also reassigned.

In a fierce denunciation of the ECI, Banerjee stated, “I received a notification at 1 a.m. Have you ever witnessed such decisions being made in the dead of night? The Chief Secretary is a Bengali woman, and they have removed her. They are against Bengalis and women alike.”

She pointed out that previously, the Election Commission would consult the state government for a list of names before enacting such changes.

“In the past, they sought a panel from us; we would provide three names, and they would select from that. This time, it was an unsolicited action—like a 'Delhi ka laddoo' or akin to a zamindari or lawless territory. When the Prime Minister declares he will select and eliminate officials one by one, how can we expect the nation to be safe? Such language is unbecoming,” she remarked.

Banerjee claimed that the BJP is employing proxies to execute covert sabotage and behaving like a “dark horse” out of sight.

She further asserted that the BJP is not just anti-Bengali but also anti-non-Bengali.

“Who was the state Director General of Police? Piyush Pandey. He was also hastily dismissed. You are excluding not just Bengalis but non-Bengalis too. In reality, you are selectively choosing individuals based on whether they align with the BJP’s agenda. But remember: regardless of who you appoint, they will ultimately serve the people,” Banerjee stated after leading a protest against the rising cooking gas prices in Kolkata.

Earlier that day, she spearheaded a protest from College Square to Dorina Crossing in central Kolkata against the surge in cooking gas prices and what she termed the Centre’s arbitrary decisions regarding commercial gas supply.

From the demonstration, she strongly condemned the reassignment of numerous administrative officials.

“Change everything—yet the government in Bengal will remain unchanged. Mark my words,” she asserted.

Banerjee also expressed concerns that her residence could face attacks similar to the alleged assault on state minister Shashi Panja’s home ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s rally in Kolkata on Saturday.

“Before I arrived here today, I saw a video where one of their leaders claimed that state minister Shashi Panja’s residence was attacked. Now they are threatening my residence, claiming that Kalighat will be targeted. I dare them: if you have the courage, come and try. We will retaliate. We will confront every single one of you,” she declared.

Simultaneously, the Chief Minister urged citizens to maintain their composure and not succumb to provocations.

“Trust and confidence; do not yield to provocations,” she advised.