Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday mounted a scathing attack on the electoral process in West Bengal, alleging mass disenfranchisement of voters, partisan conduct by constitutional authorities and targeted post-poll violence against TMC workers, while asserting that the party would continue its political battle “without fear and without compromise” under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.
Abhishek Banerjee (Photo: SNS)
Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday mounted a scathing attack on the electoral process in West Bengal, alleging mass disenfranchisement of voters, partisan conduct by constitutional authorities and targeted post-poll violence against TMC workers, while asserting that the party would continue its political battle “without fear and without compromise” under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.
In a strongly worded message posted on his WhatsApp channel, Banerjee claimed that nearly “30 lakh genuine voters” had allegedly been struck off the electoral rolls during what he described as an “extremely difficult election.”
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He further alleged that several government agencies, along with the Election Commission of India, displayed “deeply partisan conduct” throughout the electoral exercise.
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“Democratic institutions that are meant to function impartially appeared compromised, raising serious concerns about the fairness, credibility and transparency of the electoral process in West Bengal,” Banerjee said.
His remarks come amid the aftermath of a fiercely fought Assembly election in the state, marked by an intense political confrontation between the All India Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with both sides repeatedly accusing each other of undermining democratic norms, manipulating electoral procedures and fuelling political violence.
Questioning the integrity of the counting process, Banerjee referred to allegations concerning the handling and movement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and what he termed a “mismatch of control units”.
He demanded the immediate release of CCTV footage from counting centres and called for a transparent counting of VVPAT slips to “bring the truth before the people”.
“Several disturbing incidents have left millions of people questioning whether the true mandate of the people has been respected,” he said, adding that democracy could endure only when electoral institutions inspired “trust and confidence among citizens”.
Banerjee also voiced concern over reports of post-poll violence, alleging that Trinamool Congress offices and workers had come under attack in several areas.
Describing the incidents as “deeply alarming and unacceptable in a democratic society,” he claimed that party workers had allegedly been threatened and forced to flee their homes.
“No political worker in a democracy should ever have to choose between their safety and their political beliefs,” he said.
Seeking to galvanise party cadres after the electoral setback, Banerjee said the Trinamool Congress would continue to stand firmly with the people of West Bengal and remain “a strong, vocal and uncompromising opposition both in Delhi and West Bengal.”
Invoking the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, he said the party’s struggle for “democracy, constitutional values and the rights and dignity of the people” would continue unabated.
He also appealed to party supporters and workers facing intimidation or violence to contact him directly with details of any threats or attacks.
“I will do everything within my capacity to ensure their safety and security and pursue every available legal and democratic remedy,” he said, assuring party workers that he would stand “shoulder to shoulder” with them in the political battle ahead.
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