day after Trinamul Congress MLA Manirul Islam wrote a letter expressing regret over his remarks and reiterating respect for the Election Commission of India, an FIR has been lodged against the Farakka MLA in connection with the violence at the Farakka BDO office and alleged obstruction of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The FIR was filed on Saturday by the BJP’s Jangipur organisational district, accusing Manirul of storming the BDO office in Murshidabad’s Farakka, creating chaos and attempting to disrupt the SIR process.
Notably, the state administration did not lodge a complaint against the MLA within the deadline fixed by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Instead, Manirul had written to the administration on Friday, clarifying his stand.
In its complaint, the BJP alleged that Manirul, despite being an elected representative, not only obstructed official work but also attempted to influence and derail the electoral process. The party claimed that such actions strike at the very root of free and fair elections.
In the letter addressed to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) overseeing the SIR on Friday, Manirul said he holds the “highest respect” for the ECI, its officials and India’s electoral system.
He maintained that he has always followed the Constitution and believes in the rule of law, though he admitted there may have been errors in his choice of words during the 14 January protest.
The MLA clarified that his statements outside the Farakka BDO office were not intended to undermine the dignity of the Election Commission of India or influence the voting process.
“My statement had no ill intent, provocation or attempt to violate the law. If anyone has interpreted it differently, it was unintentional,” he wrote, adding that he was ready to cooperate with the administration and comply with all lawful directions.
He also said his comments reflected public concerns over the SIR, which, according to him, is meant for public convenience and has also been examined by the Supreme Court.
The clarification came in the backdrop of the 14 January incident, when tension flared at the Farakka BDO office after Booth Level Officers staged a protest.
Manirul later arrived with supporters, demanding an immediate halt to the SIR. During the agitation, plastic chairs and office furniture were allegedly vandalised.
Manirul had claimed that the SIR was creating divisions between communities and alleged differential treatment during document verification.
He had also made a dramatic statement about being ready to take a bullet to “save the people of Farakka.”
Following the incident, Election Commission officials contacted state DGP Rajeev Kumar and sought action.
While two persons were arrested the same day on vandalism charges, Manirul’s name was not included in the FIR.
The commission later directed that legal action, including registration of an FIR against the MLA, be completed by Thursday 5 p.m, but the deadline passed without compliance.
Reacting to the FIR, Manirul said: “If I have to go to jail while fighting for the people, I am ready. The BJP and the ECI are no longer separate. The commission is now working as a spokesperson for the BJP.”
The controversy has added a new dimension to the Centre-state administrative tussle. Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury questioned why the administration failed to act suo motu despite the commission’s directive.
“Why did the police not act despite clear instructions? Why does a political party have to file an FIR? This reflects the worrying state of law and order in Bengal,” he said.
Bharatpur MLA and Janagan Unnayan Party chairman Humayun Kabir alleged that the state administration, the BJP and the ECI were acting together against minorities.
Criticising the Trinamul Congress, he said the party was indulging in double standards over minority sentiments and would face the consequences in the next election.