ECI acting like BJP functionary: Former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha slams ECI

He further targeted Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of behaving like a ruling party representative. Speaking to the media, Sinha further added that one naturally expects the poll body to conduct impartial elections under its aegis. "This statement was made by the BJP, as Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner, has effectively become a member of the BJP and is conducting himself like a party functionary. One naturally expects the Election Commission to conduct impartial elections under its aegis," he said.

The remarks follow a meeting between a TMC delegation and ECI, who asserted that the upcoming elections in West Bengal would be "fear-free, violence-free, intimidation-free, inducement-free and without any chappa, booth jamming and source jamming."

"Election Commission's Ultimatum to Trinamool Congress Elections in West Bengal this time: Fear-free, Violence-free, Intimidation-free, Inducement-free, Raid-free, Booth and Source Jamming-free will they surely be," EC's X post read.

https://x.com/ECISVEEP/status/2041740335609737657

The remarks, however, drew a sharp response from the ruling All India Trinamool Congress, which questioned the neutrality of the constitutional body. In its reply on X, the party said, "Is this how a neutral constitutional body is expected to behave?"

https://x.com/AITCofficial/status/2041771829866778958

There have been several confrontations and a tussle between the TMC and the ECI over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. The TMC has accused the ECI of working on the behest of the Opposition party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to delete the names of the voters from the electoral rolls.

Polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. (ANI)