SIR row unites rivals TMC, CPM in Bengal; Mamata speaks to MA Baby
TMC chief Banerjee also spoke to Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and urged him to convene an INDIA bloc meeting at the earliest
In an unusual development in West Bengal politics, bitter rivals Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the CPI(M) have opened communication channels amid growing opposition concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission (EC).
According to a report in Indian Express on Saturday (September 26), former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke to CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby on Friday.
The two leaders discussed the need for Opposition parties to come together over concerns surrounding the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, of electoral rolls, the report said, citing sources.
Mamata wants INDIA bloc meeting soon
TMC chief Banerjee also spoke to Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and urged him to convene an INDIA bloc meeting at the earliest, possibly on Monday or Tuesday next week, the report said.
Also read: BJP allies seek EC clarification on SIR, flag concerns over voter trust
The development comes after Baby wrote to Banerjee and other Opposition leaders on September 23, calling for a joint meeting to discuss the developments within the poll panel. Banerjee subsequently responded, describing the situation as “truly extraordinary”, according to the report.
The newspaper's recent report said that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months to decisions related to the SIR process. The EC acknowledged the written notes but described them as part of its decision-making process.
Opposition demands CEC’s resignation
Opposition parties have demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an independent probe into the functioning of the poll panel and a halt to the SIR exercise.
The outreach between the TMC and CPI(M) is notable as the two parties have been political adversaries in Bengal for decades, despite both being members of the INDIA bloc.
Also read: ‘Gyanesh Kumar deserves Padma Bhushan’: Bengal BJP chief backs CEC amid Opposition attack
The report said Baby has also reached out to several non-INDIA bloc parties, seeking broader opposition coordination over the issue.
The discussions come amid continuing political turbulence in West Bengal and heightened scrutiny of the Election Commission ahead of upcoming bypolls in the state.