TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Challenges Election Commission Over WhatsApp Use

Abhishek Banerjee, a Member of Parliament representing the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of violating directives from the Supreme Court by utilizing WhatsApp for official communications in West Bengal. Banerjee’s claims emerged as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which aims to update the electoral roll in the state.

The TMC leader expressed his concerns on social media, stating that instructions are being distributed to ECI officials via WhatsApp instead of through formal channels. In his post on X, he questioned, “Is the @ECISVEEP of the view that directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court can be openly FLOUTED?” He highlighted the Supreme Court’s emphasis on transparency and due process, criticizing the use of informal communication methods for important electoral matters.

Banerjee further alleged that there have been credible reports indicating that C Murugan, the Special Roll Observer, is instructing other officials on the acceptance of birth certificates as valid documents. He claimed this practice could lead to an “inflation of deletion numbers” from the voter list. “Even more disturbing are credible reports of C Murugan issuing instructions regarding the acceptability of birth certificates directly to Micro Observers in a WhatsApp group,” he noted.

In his statements, Banerjee included purported screenshots of WhatsApp messages that allegedly detail these instructions. He raised concerns about the misuse of login data, suggesting that it is being exploited to target specific communities at the direction of political figures in Delhi. “Should this matter be independently examined, it will be established that the tower location and IP address of the login device differ from the actual location of the concerned roll observer,” he added.

In response to these allegations, Banerjee emphasized that the Election Commission’s legitimacy is derived from public trust, not political influence. He announced plans to pursue the matter in the highest court, warning that individuals acting under the influence of “Zamindars of Delhi” would face strict legal repercussions. “Brace yourselves!” he concluded.

TMC Delegation Engages with Election Officials

Earlier on the same day, a five-member delegation from the TMC visited the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in West Bengal. The delegation included notable figures such as Mahua Moitra, a fellow TMC MP, and Chandrima Bhattacharya, West Bengal’s Finance Minister. Other members included TMC leader Pratima Mondal, MP Partha Bhowmick, and Bratya Basu, the state’s Higher Education Minister.

The TMC’s actions come amid heightened scrutiny of the electoral process in West Bengal, with the party asserting its commitment to uphold democratic principles and ensure a fair electoral environment. As tensions rise, the outcome of these allegations and subsequent legal actions will likely have significant implications for the electoral landscape in the state.