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Key Points

The Trinamool Congress has filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court challenging the Election Commission's early demand for booth-level agent details. Justice Amrita Sinha questioned why Trinamool was the only party opposing the move, while the ruling party argued jurisdictional overreach. Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly linked the voter list revision to fears of NRC implementation in Bengal. The court declined Trinamool's request for an expedited hearing on the matter.

Key Points: Trinamool Challenges ECI in Calcutta HC Over BLA Data Request

  • Trinamool questions ECI's jurisdiction in pre-poll BLA data collection
  • Justice Sinha queries if other parties oppose ECI move
  • Mamata Banerjee links SIR to NRC implementation fears
  • Court rejects fast-track hearing plea for Trinamool petition
2 min read

Trinamool moves Calcutta HC against ECI over BLA information issue

Trinamool Congress petitions Calcutta HC against ECI's early BLA data demand, citing jurisdictional overreach ahead of Bengal polls.

"Under no circumstances will we allow NRC or detention camps in Bengal – Mamata Banerjee"

Kolkata, Aug 18

The Trinamool Congress on Monday filed a petition with a single judge bench of the Calcutta High Court against the Election Commission of India (ECI), challenging its decision to seek details of booth-level agents (BLAs) from individual political parties a year before the Assembly elections in West Bengal.

The ruling party of the state, in its petition, claimed that it is not within the jurisdiction of the Election Commission to seek this information from the political parties so early.

The case came up for hearing at the single-judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha on Monday. The Commission has already indicated that the SIR will be started soon in West Bengal. In that context, this case is very significant.

Reacting to the Trinamool Congress plea, Justice Sinha questioned whether the Trinamool Congress was the only one affected by the Commission’s move, or whether other political parties were also affected by it. “Why have you come alone?" questioned Justice Sinha.

In his reply, the Trinamool Congress Counsel argued that other parties might have accepted it, but they are challenging this.

Trinamool Congress had filed a petition for a fast-track hearing. However, Justice Singh rejected the petition for a fast-track basis hearing.

Assembly elections are scheduled in West Bengal next year. Before that, there is a possibility of a Special Intensified Revision (SIR) in Bengal. In this situation, names of booth-level agents are being sought from political parties. And that is what the Trinamool Congress is objecting to.

Trinamool Congress has been opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state since the beginning,

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the SIR was nothing but a force for NRC in the state.

“Under no circumstances will we be allowing implementation of NRC or setting up detention camps in the state. If there is any such attempt, there would be major resistance to such attempts,” the Chief Minister said recently.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an observer, I find it interesting that the judge asked why only TMC is objecting. If other parties aren't complaining, maybe there's merit in ECI's process? 🤔 West Bengal elections are always so dramatic!
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Ananya R
Didi is right to be cautious! After what happened with NRC in Assam, we can't trust these processes blindly. Bengal has its own unique challenges that outsiders don't understand. Jai Bangla! 🇮🇳
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Karthik V
While I'm not a TMC supporter, I must say the timing is suspicious. Why does ECI need this info so early? This could be misused for voter profiling. The court should examine this carefully.
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Michael C
Having worked with election monitoring teams, I can say booth-level agent details are standard requirement in many democracies. India's EC is actually quite professional compared to many countries.
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Priyanka N
Typical TMC drama before elections! They create controversy over everything EC does. Last time it was EVMs, now it's BLA details. When will we focus on real issues like development?

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