CEC talks tough with state officials; CM says courage good, not bravado
Times of India | 10 March 2026
Kolkata: Senior Bengal govt officials, along with officers from the airport and RBI, faced the EC's ire on Monday as the poll body's full bench began its review of Bengal's poll preparedness.
"Everything has a digital footprint. Whether it is a DM, an SP or a police commissioner, no one will be spared if negligence is detected," a source quoted CEC Gyanesh Kumar as saying. A source said Kumar spoke bluntly with Bengal DG (law and order) Vineet Goyal, even telling him to "sit down" while he was responding to an EC query.
Later, CM Mamata Banerjee hit back at the "threat" to state officials from her Esplanade protest site. "The CEC threatened our officers today. I want to tell him that courage is good but false bravado is not," Banerjee said.
Another source said the CEC warned that if deliberate discrepancies or negligence are proven, officials will be placed in a position from which there is no return.
Referring to the CEC as "Vanish", the CM said: "I heard he threatened officials with action after May. Where will you be after May? It's ‘His Master's Voice'. You are playing a damaged record. The people of Bengal will not bow down."
Banerjee also warned sections of the bureaucracy against acting under political pressure. "Records are being maintained. If BJP goes tomorrow, where will you go? I will be the first to transfer you," she said, claiming how previously neutral institutions were now acting partisan.
According to sources, Kumar questioned why the state lacked a ‘Narcotics Advisory Board.' Although state authorities promised action, the CEC was not satisfied. When DG Goyal tried to explain, he was asked to sit down. Sources said the EC instructed the state excise department to ensure alcohol production does not exceed normal levels.
The commission also questioned why the RBI has not monitored cash circulation. Airport authorities were criticised for not reporting illegal transactions and told to submit a report immediately.
The CM added: "BLOs, EROs and DEOs worked hard for SIR and many ended their lives under pressure. About 190 people have died, yet you say nothing. You will face the reply for this injustice."
Urging officers to act, the CEC reportedly said: "Tonight's the night," quoting the 1976 Rod Stewart classic. The CM compared the CEC to "Spiderman" and a "super god" while questioning his power after May.