West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday launched a blistering attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of behaving in an “arrogant, undemocratic and partisan” manner. The Trinamool Congress supremo walked out of a pre-scheduled meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi, alleging that her delegation was “insulted and ignored” despite raising serious concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in West Bengal.

Speaking to the media immediately after boycotting the meeting at Nirvachan Sadan, Banerjee said she had never witnessed such conduct from the Election Commission in her decades-long political career. “I have worked in Delhi politics for many years. I have been a Union Minister. But I have never seen an Election Commission this arrogant,” she said, visibly upset.

“We were humiliated, not heard”

According to Banerjee, the meeting was meant to discuss alleged irregularities in the SIR process, including the inclusion of deceased persons in draft voter lists and the alleged harassment of ordinary voters. However, she claimed the Commission showed no willingness to listen.

“We were humiliated. We were not given justice, so we walked out,” Banerjee said. “We have written six letters to the Election Commission. Not one has been answered. We spoke about people being harassed, about deaths linked to fear created by SIR. And the Commission’s response was simply: ‘Whatever we did is correct.’”

The Chief Minister alleged that the SIR exercise in West Bengal was being carried out in a manner that was “anti-democratic, inhuman and against the federal structure.” She further claimed that the Election Commission was acting in collusion with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to remove a massive number of voters from the rolls ahead of elections.

Allegation of voter deletion conspiracy

Banerjee accused the ECI of conspiring to delete nearly two crore voters from West Bengal’s electoral rolls. She alleged that the process was being selectively applied to Bengal while other states were spared.

“If SIR was so necessary, why wasn’t it done since 2002? Why suddenly in three months, just before elections?” she asked. “Why was SIR not conducted in Assam? Why only Bengal?”

She also claimed that around 58 lakh voters had already been excluded from draft voter lists without being given an opportunity to present their case. “People were denied a chance to defend themselves. Names were removed arbitrarily,” she said.

Delegation in black, families of victims present

Mamata Banerjee had arrived at the Election Commission with a high-profile delegation that included Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, party MP Kalyan Banerjee, representatives of families allegedly affected by the SIR process, and relatives of three Booth Level Officers (BLOs) who reportedly died under stress.

In a symbolic protest, members of the delegation wore black clothes and shawls to register their dissent against what they described as the Commission’s “authoritarian behaviour.” Five families allegedly impacted by SIR-related harassment and the families of the deceased BLOs were also part of the delegation.

Standing outside Nirvachan Sadan, Banerjee alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner had refused to answer even basic questions. “Gyanesh Kumar insulted us. He did not answer a single question. I have never seen such an insolent Election Commissioner. His behaviour was like that of a broker,” she said.

“You have power, I have people”

In one of her sharpest remarks, Banerjee warned that attempts to silence her would fail. “If you think you can silence us, you are mistaken. If needed, I will bring lakhs of people from Bengal and bring Delhi to a standstill,” she said.

“You may have the power of the BJP, but I have the power of the people,” she added.

She also questioned the role of certain individuals allegedly involved in the SIR process. Naming one official, she claimed, “She is not part of the Election Commission. She is from the BJP’s IT cell.”

Banerjee further criticised the alleged obsession with spelling discrepancies in names and surnames. “My name is Mamata Banerjee. If you write Banerji, will you still call me? After marriage, women often change surnames. People are being harassed unnecessarily over spelling and documentation,” she said.

“Respect the chair, but no chair is permanent”

While attacking the Commission, Banerjee maintained that she respected constitutional institutions. “We respect your chair. But no chair is permanent for anyone,” she remarked, in what many saw as a pointed warning.

She questioned why Bengal was being “targeted” and drew sharp comparisons. “If Atal Bihari Vajpayee were alive today, could he have produced his birth certificate? Ask the Prime Minister to produce the birth charts of his parents,” she said.

Addressing communal politics, Banerjee added, “Those who talk Hindu-Muslim should look here. There are Muslims among us today. How many Hindus are here? This is not about religion, it’s about democracy.”

Bengal Bhavan turns into a flashpoint

Even as the political confrontation unfolded at the Election Commission, dramatic scenes played out at Bengal Bhavan in Delhi. From early morning, the areas around Hailey Road and Chanakyapuri—where Bengal Bhavan and other West Bengal government guest houses are located—resembled a security zone, with heavy deployment of Delhi Police.

Families who had travelled from Bengal alleging SIR-related harassment were housed at these guest houses. According to Trinamool Congress leaders, police personnel began checking documents of residents and visitors, allegedly forcing them to submit written declarations stating why they were in Delhi.

Despite claiming they were in Delhi for work or personal reasons, several individuals were reportedly made to hand over identity documents. In a controversial move, Aadhaar cards, voter IDs and even passports of some residents staying at a West Bengal power department guest house were allegedly seized without explanation.

Mamata rushes to Bengal Bhavan, police retreat

After reports emerged that residents from Bengal were being “confined” inside Bengal Bhavan, Mamata Banerjee rushed to the premises early in the morning, wearing a simple home saree and accompanied by Abhishek Banerjee.

As she arrived, a large contingent of Delhi Police was stationed at the gate. In an aggressive mood, Banerjee confronted the officers, demanding to know why they were present. The police reportedly avoided confrontation and began retreating.

“What happened? Why are you running away?” Banerjee asked as she followed them.

She issued a stern warning, saying, “Do not think I am weak. We have brought these people from far away. You cannot scare them. I did not even change my clothes. I came straight here.”

Referring to law-and-order issues in the capital, she added, “When bombs explode in Delhi, where is the Delhi Police then? But I won’t blame the police—they work under orders.”

Appeal to the Home Minister

Banerjee urged the Delhi Police to show restraint. “Do not harass or torture people from Bengal. Many have died. Many have lost loved ones. Do not try to show brute force,” she said.

“If no one else in this country fights for them, I will. I will keep fighting,” she declared.

She also appealed directly to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene. “From morning, Bengal Bhavan has been flooded with police and central forces. Rooms are being searched. Delhi Police has no jurisdiction to do this,” she said.

“These families have come with us to raise their voice against injustice. When you come to Bengal, we roll out the red carpet. When we come to Delhi, is this a black carpet?” Banerjee asked.

A confrontation that may reshape the narrative

The dramatic walkout, fiery statements and standoff at Bengal Bhavan have added a new dimension to the political battle between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP-led Centre. With elections approaching, Mamata Banerjee’s allegations against the Election Commission are likely to intensify political discourse around electoral integrity, federalism and the rights of voters.

Whether the Election Commission responds to these charges or remains silent may determine how this confrontation shapes the national political narrative in the days to come.