Addressing a press briefing on the phase 2 of the SIR exercise in 12 states and Union Territories, including West Bengal, CEC Kumar said, “There is no friction over the SIR in West Bengal.”
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar (File Photo)
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who announced a pan India Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on Monday, dismissed the speculation of a disagreement between the poll panel and the West Bengal government over the revision exercise.
Addressing a press briefing on the phase 2 of the SIR exercise in 12 states and Union Territories, including West Bengal, CEC Kumar said, “There is no friction over the SIR in West Bengal.”
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“All constitutional institutions conduct their business as per the Constitution. By preparing to conduct the SIR, the Election Commission is performing its constitutional duty and, in the same manner, every state government will also perform its duty,” he said.
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When pointed out West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s purported Opposition to the electoral roll revision exercise, Kumar stated that there was no possibility of state governments and rheir departments not joining the SIR exercise.
Like all constitutional institutions, Kumar said, the state governments are also duty-bound to provide the wherewithal, including personnel and security cover, for conducting the SIR and holding elections.
Kumar acknowledged issues with the SIR exercise in Bihar, saying the poll panel will issue some additional instructions for the exercise in these 12 states and UTs.
Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress has been oppoosing the idea of roll revision. The TMC has maintained that the SIR is a BJP conspiracy to force upon the state National Register of Citizens (NRC).
According to reports, the TMC is likely to hold a mega anti-SIR rally in Kolkata in the first week of November. The rally would be addressed by Bengal CM and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee.
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