Is Mamata Banerjee Overstepping Her Authority in Directing BLOs?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of Authority Overreach: Jyotirmay Singh Mahato claims Mamata Banerjee is exceeding her powers.
- Threat to Electoral Integrity: Concerns arise over the potential manipulation of the electoral process.
- Legal Repercussions: Mahato calls for legal action against perceived violations.
- National Security Concerns: The inclusion of illegal voters is framed as a risk to national security.
- Impact on Upcoming Elections: The allegations could influence the political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections.
Kolkata, Aug 5 (NationPress) BJP Lok Sabha representative from Purulia constituency in West Bengal, Jyotirmay Singh Mahato, addressed a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday, asserting that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has exceeded her powers by issuing election-related directives to the booth-level officers (BLOs).
According to the letter, which is in the possession of IANS, Mahato contended that such actions by the Chief Minister are obstructing the smooth execution of the electoral process within the state, posing a risk to national security, and thus warranting immediate action from the Election Commission.
Mahato highlighted that during a recent administrative meeting, the Chief Minister instructed the BLOs to ensure that no names are omitted from the voters’ list. He argued that this directive from the Chief Minister represents a direct assault on Indian democracy.
“Mamata Banerjee is blatantly defying the Election Commission and safeguarding illegal voters to manipulate the 2026 Bengal elections,” Mahato declared on Tuesday.
In his correspondence to the Chief Election Commissioner, Mahato accused the Chief Minister of focusing solely on protecting illegal voters in West Bengal. He claimed, “Ms. Banerjee’s orders are designed to shield over one crore illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi voters on the electoral rolls, especially in border districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, and North 24 Parganas,” as stated in his letter.
He also pointed out that labeling the special intensive review by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as an indirect attempt to implement the NRC in West Bengal is yet another tactic to safeguard illegal voters.
“The presence of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants on West Bengal’s electoral rolls presents a serious threat to national security,” Mahato asserted in his letter.
In his correspondence, Mahato urged the Chief Election Commissioner to counter the misinformation propagated by the Chief Minister regarding the special intensive review and to explore legal recourse under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.