Did Trinamool's Abhishek Banerjee Expose ECI's Disregard for SC Orders?
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Kolkata, Feb 18 (NationPress) Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday revealed WhatsApp conversations that allegedly demonstrate the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s complete disregard for the directives issued by the Supreme Court.
In a post shared on his X account, Banerjee presented purported WhatsApp exchanges involving IAS officer C. Murugan, the special electoral roll observer (SERO) assigned to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of West Bengal's electoral rolls, where he directed other officials.
“Does the @ECISVEEP believe that the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court can be blatantly flouted? The apex court has consistently underscored the need for transparency, due process, and the observance of formal communication channels. Yet, we observe directives being disseminated via WhatsApp instead of through established, accountable mechanisms,” he stated.
Banerjee criticized the use of WhatsApp for issuing official directions to officers managing SIR duties.
“Even more alarming are credible allegations that Special Roll Observer C. Murugan is instructing Micro Observers about the validity of birth certificates within a WhatsApp group, aiming to inflate deletion figures. Should I remind the ECI of the Supreme Court’s explicit instruction that micro-observers should only play an assistive role? Why are statutory procedures being ignored, and under whose authority?” he queried.
He further accused the ECI of manipulating login information to target specific communities.
“Moreover, Roll Observers are assigned to specific districts, yet it appears that login details associated with these observers are being accessed from a centralized location in Kolkata. This login data is being exploited to create queries that specifically target a particular community, as per the directives of the ECI’s political overseers in Delhi. If this situation is independently investigated, it will be revealed that the tower location and IP address of the login device do not match the actual position of the designated roll observer,” he asserted.
Banerjee also declared intentions to escalate the issue in court. “The Election Commission derives its legitimacy from PUBLIC TRUST, not POLITICAL PATRONAGE. We will pursue this matter in the highest court. Furthermore, any individual aligning with or acting at the behest of Zamindars of Delhi will face stringent legal repercussions. Prepare yourselves!” he cautioned.