Bengal bypolls: EC, TMC engage in verbal duel over allegations of inaction on part of poll body

In a response to TMC leader Derek O'Brien, the poll authority said it is "surprising" that even after the prompt action by the Commission "within 20 hours" of receipt of representation on November 9 afternoon, there has been "unwarranted comments of delay".

New Delhi: Hours ahead of the end of campaign for bypolls, Election Commission and Trinamool Congress on Monday were engaged in a war of words with the poll body rejecting allegations made by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of delay or inaction on its complaints after insisting that their letter seeking a meeting did not specify any details.

Trinamool Congress returned fire with senior MP Derek O’Brien writing back to the EC in the evening saying that they have “immense respect” for the EC but they have personally seen over the last three days “how little the EC respects” the party with the third largest number of MPs in Parliament.

“Rich of you to write about 'basic courtesy' after ignoring us for three days and then giving us an appointment for a time which is merely 90 minutes before campaigning for the bypolls in Bengal ends,” he said. Another Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale countered the EC's assertion that it took action within 20 hours was a “lie”.

Responding to senior Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien's letter on Monday morning, it is “surprising” that even after the prompt action by the Commission “within 20 hours: of receipt of representation on November 9 afternoon, there has been “unwarranted comments of delay”.

Trinamool leaders claimed that they had sought an appointment with the EC to explain their concerns over a variety of issues on Saturday but were not given time that day.

Rejecting the charges of “inaction and delayed response as completely baseless, devoid of facts and misleading”, the EC said in its letter to O’Brien asked the Trinamool delegation to meet the poll body at 3.30 PM today, “as already conveyed on November 10.”

O’Brien said that the EC's decision to give them time on Monday “effectively negates the purpose of raising concerns, as no substantive action can be taken during this critical window.”

The poll body said the Trinamool's request came on November 8 at 5.17 PM but it “did not mention any issues that were required to be discussed” and a reminder of this request was received through email on November 9 at 9.57 AM, which also did not have specified any issue for deliberations.

The EC said the Trinamool delegation submitted their two representations to the office on November 9 and those were acted upon promptly by directing the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal to first address the urgent issue regarding force deployment.

At a meeting called by the CEO, it was decided that each QRT (quick reaction team), including those led by company commander of CAPF, will include an ASI or SI level state police personnel. The EC also issued a notice to Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar.

Commenting on the EC letter, Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale posted on 'X', "this is a LIE. The ECI has NOT ‘acted within 20 hours’ like they’re claiming in the media.”

“Complaint was submitted personally by a 5-MP delegation led by our Floor Leaders in Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha on 9th Nov (Saturday). ECI didn’t even bother to meet or even respond. And now - when campaigning ends at 5pm today - they’re doing this drama of a “notice”. Shame that the Election Commission has openly become a wing of the BJP,” he added. (ENDS)