Samik seeks RS debate on ‘threats’ to poll panel officials
Times of India | 1 August 2025
Kolkata: BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya on Thursday moved a motion in the Rajya Sabha seeking a discussion on the alleged "threat" to officials of the Election Commission in Bengal. He claimed that the "electoral integrity" of the state was under question, warning that such statements could lead to a constitutional crisis.
"The administrative functionaries of the state govt have openly challenged the EC, stating that its officials are answerable to the state govt and not bound to follow directives from EC. This directly undermines the constitutional autonomy of an institution established under Article 324 of the Constitution," Bhattacharya wrote in a notice.
"Such statements threaten to create a constitutional crisis and set a dangerous precedent. The employees at the commission will not be able to work fearlessly," he said.
Leader of opposition in Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari echoed similar concerns, alleging that EC officials could come under physical threat. "This is not the first time officials are being intimidated in the state. We have already witnessed ED officials being attacked in Sandeshkhali and NIA officials in Bhupatinagar. Even CM staged a ‘dharna' at the CBI office,"Adhikari said.