Mamata vs Election Commission: Tensions Rise Over SIR and Observer Deployment

The Mamata vs Election Commission conflict has reached a new stage. On Tuesday, Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack from Netaji Indoor Stadium. She called the SIR process unplanned, illegal, unconstitutional, and undemocratic. She alleged of Gross errors in SIR process. Meanwhile, over a mic disturbance, she scolded officials repeatedly. She also explained the duties of Booth Level Agents. However, these are tasks they are already familiar with.

Is Mamata Banerjee feeling a bit nervous?

Is Mamata Losing Control as the Election Commission Steps In?

The Mamata vs Election Commission clash began yesterday when she said there were serious flaws in the SIR process. So far, the SIR Process has removed 58 lakh voters during the voter roll revision. However, if there are mistakes, there is a system to correct them. Therefore, the Trinamool Congress is likely to submit many correction documents. Meanwhile, only the first phase has just ended.

Is Mamata Bandyopadhyay becoming a little impatient?

Observer and Micro-Observer Deployment: A Game Changer

The Mamata vs Election Commission clash yesterday mainly centered on the appointment of exclusive observers. First, the Election Commission sent 12 special observers. A former Bengal bureaucrat, Subrata Gupta, led the team. Until then, the Trinamool could play a largely one-sided game. In the absence of the opposition, Trinamool’s Booth Level Agents dominated the process. They also used Booth Level Officers to do whatever they could.

Is Mamata Bandyopadhyay sensing trouble ahead?

Netaji Indoor Speech: What Mamata’s Tone and Body Language Reveal

The Mamata vs Election Commission conflict intensified further after the Election Commission decided to deploy another 4,000 micro observers. She said Election Commission has taken this move to foster the BJP’s interests. However, at the same time, she instructed her BLAs to collect details. She asked them to note each observer’s name and home address and report it to her.

Will Mamata Bandyopadhyay welcome them with flowers and sandalwood or something else?

The Mamata vs Election Commission battle has now moved to the claims and objections / notice stage of the Special Intensive Revision. Perhaps Mamata expected loyal BDOs and SDOs to act as she wished. In other words, she probably thought Trinamool to get a free run once again. However, during the hearings and verification, the Election Commission’s micro observers will be present at every center.

Is this the real reason behind Mamata’s increasing anxiety?

The SIR Controversy and the Start of the Mamata vs Election Commission Clash

The Mamata vs Election Commission conflict has been ongoing from the very beginning. First, she said she would not allow the SIR in Bengal. However, she eventually had to allow the SIR to take place. Then, there were some unfortunate suicides or deaths. As a result, Mamata became visibly angry. Soon after, a few Booth Level Officers also died. Following this, Mamata wrote to the Election Commission, asking them to stop the SIR. However, the work continued. In the first phase, Trinamool agents managed the process through BLOs in their own way. But then, the Election Commission sent observers. This step disrupted all of Mamata’s plans.

Has Mamata Bandyopadhyay come under paramount pressure now?

New Political Players and the Risk to Mamata’s Core Vote Bank

Even as the Mamata vs Election Commission battle continues, Mamata is facing several more setbacks. In short, nothing seems to be going in her favor.

• First, during this voter list revision, the process excluded more than 40,000 names from her own constituency. Similarly, the constituencies with major exclusions has sparked worries to the respective leaders.
• Second, Mamata is an experienced grassroots politician. She knows very well that there exists a vertically split in her own party. The division now into the “Dada group” and the “Didi group” certainly raises her agonies. Clearly, this internal division is not good news for her.
• Third, Humayun Kabir announced the formation of the Janata Unnayan Party just yesterday. From the stage, he repeatedly accused Mamata of cheating Muslims. No one knows how many seats his new party will win. However, Mamata surely understands that he will cut into her Muslim vote base. And she also knows how much this will benefit the BJP if her core vote bank weakens.
• Fourth, her stand on the Waqf issue and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has hurt her image. She first threatened that the state will allow them, but later backed down. No one understands better than Mamata herself how damaging this looks politically.
• Ultimately, failing to maintain control over the SIR will undoubtedly increase her stress levels.

Is Mamata now succumbing to unrelenting pressure from all sides?

Critical Stress even beyond Mamata vs Election Commission fights

Yesterday at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Mamata’s aggressive words and body language clearly suggested that things are not going in Hunky dory for now.