TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Accuses Election Commission of ‘Silent Invisible Rigging

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Trinamool Congress (TMC) national secretary Abhishek Banerjee has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of engaging in what he termed “Silent Invisible Rigging” (SIR), allegedly at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking in Kolkata on Wednesday, Banerjee claimed that the process was being initiated in favour of the BJP and warned that similar attempts could be made in West Bengal.

Banerjee asserted that such actions would not weaken the TMC but rather strengthen the public’s support for the party. “They will try to desperately attempt the same in Bengal. But this will only increase the trust and love people have for Trinamool Congress,” he said. He criticised BJP leaders for avoiding press interactions and suggested that they lacked the courage to face public scrutiny.

The TMC leader said his party would be prepared to organise large-scale protests if necessary, including demonstrations in Delhi. “If needed, we will organise a mass movement here in Delhi. We will hit the ground taking along the people,” Banerjee declared. He further warned that the party would not allow the rights of any individual to be taken away through alleged electoral manipulation.

Drawing a comparison between Bihar and West Bengal, Banerjee said, “If the BJP tries to snatch away the rights of a single person through SIR, we will not allow that. This is the difference between Bihar and Bengal. This is the difference between us and any other State. You dare attempt it (SIR) here and see the reaction!”

While Banerjee’s allegations target both the ECI and the BJP, neither the Election Commission nor the BJP had issued an immediate response to the claims at the time of his statement. The ECI, a constitutionally mandated body, oversees the conduct of elections in India under Article 324 of the Constitution, and its impartiality is critical to maintaining public trust in the democratic process.

Banerjee’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions in the lead-up to elections, with opposition parties frequently accusing the ruling BJP of using administrative mechanisms to gain electoral advantage, a charge the BJP has consistently denied. The TMC leader’s choice of words signals a more aggressive political stance as West Bengal gears up for another electoral contest.