SIR in Bengal: EC calls TMC for meeting, days after CM Mamata Banerjee writes to CEC

The Election Commission has called the Trinamool Congress for a meeting on Friday after the Mamata Banerjee- led party sought time with the poll panel amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision process in West Bengal.

In a letter to party chief Mamata Banerjee, the Election Commission stated that a Trinamool delegation comprising its authorised representative and four others can meet its top brass at 11 am on Friday, as per reports from news agencies.

Derek O'Brien had written to the EC on Sunday seeking time.

What did Election Commission say?

The Election Commission (EC) pointed out that Trinamool leader Derek O'Brien had requested for an appointment for a delegation of party MPs.

"The Commission always welcomes regular interaction with political parties for constructive dialogue.

"Accordingly, the Commission has considered the party's request and decided to give an appointment to the delegation comprising of the authorised representative of the party along with four other members for a meeting at 11 am on November 28...," the poll panel said in its letter, reported PTI.

Which TMC MPs will meet poll panel?

Following the letter from EC, Derek O'Brien replied back, mentioning the names of 10 Trinamool party leaders who would meet CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The delegation includes:
1. Derek O'Brien (Leader, AITC Parliamentary Party, Rajya Sabha)

2. Satabdi Roy (Deputy Leader, Lok Sabha)

3. Kalyan Banerjee (MP, Lok Sabha)

4. Dola Sen (MP, Rajya Sabha)

5. Pratima Mondal (MP, Lok Sabha)

6. Sajda Ahmed (MP, Lok Sabha)

7. Mamata Thakur (MP, Rajya Sabha)

8. Mahua Moitra (MP, Lok Sabha)

9. Saket Gokhale (MP, Rajya Sabha)

10. Prakash Chik Barik (MP, Rajya Sabha)

Mamata Banerjee's previous letters to EC

The proposed interaction will be held against the backdrop of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee writing to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his “immediate intervention” into two recent issues.

She referred to the state CEO’s direction to district election officers not to engage contractual data-entry operators and Bangla Sahayata Kendra staff for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), voters' list cleanup exercise, or other poll-related work.

Mamata Banerjee also objected to the EC's proposal to set up polling booths inside private residential complexes.

In her previous letter dated 20 November, Mamata Banerjee had requested the CEC Gyanesh Kumar to immediately halt the SIR exercise in the state, claiming it as “chaotic, coercive and dangerous”.

She stated that she has “time and again” raised concerns over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in the state and is now “compelled to write” to the chief election commissioner because the situation has reached a “deeply alarming stage”.