The Trinamool Congress on Friday reiterated its demand to the Election Commission, seeking the “immediate” removal of the returning officer for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in the run-up to the Assembly elections in West Bengal.
In a representation submitted to West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the ruling party in the state alleged that Surajit Roy, the returning officer, had a “documented and close association” with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Suvendu Adhikari.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will contest against Adhikari, the leader of Opposition in the state, from the Bhabanipur constituency.
The West Bengal election will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29 in the state. The results will be announced on May 4.
On March 24, the Trinamool Congress had complained to the Election Commission against the appointment of Roy as the returning officer for Bhabanipur, citing “credible apprehensions” regarding his independence, reported The Indian Express.
“It is widely known that he is closely associated with Suvendu Adhikari of the Bharatiya Janata Party,” TMC national working committee member and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien had written.
As Adhikari was contesting from the Bhawanipur constituency, Roy’s appointment gives “rise to a reasonable likelihood of bias and lack of neutrality”, O’Brien added.
He had also noted that the Election Commission had issued directions that officers with political proximity, perceived bias or doubtful neutrality ought not to be deployed in election-related functions, reported The Indian Express.
“The appointment of Surajit Roy, in the present facts, is contrary to these principles,” wrote the MP.
On Friday, the TMC said that no action had been taken on the representation yet.
“No explanation has been offered,” stated the party. “No replacement has been effected. This situation is constitutionally untenable, institutionally inexplicable and electorally dangerous.”
The party also asked how Roy could be posted as the additional director of land records, stating that the position is typically held by more senior officers.
The TMC alleged that his appointment to the role, particularly ahead of elections, raises concerns of “preferential and motivated deployment”.
In West Bengal, the Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress has been in power since 2011. The main Opposition in the state over the years has shifted from the Left parties to the BJP.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the BJP won 77 seats in the 294-member House, while the Trinamool secured 215. The Left-Congress alliance and its partners, despite a vote share of about 10%, won just one seat.
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