Manoj Agarwal Faces TMC Criticism Amid Voter List Revisions

Tensions have escalated between West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal and the ruling Trinamool Congress ahead of the state’s upcoming Assembly elections. The conflict intensified as the party launched pointed criticisms, referencing a 2013 inquiry into alleged disproportionate assets and multiple bank accounts linked to Agarwal’s wife and father-in-law.

The criticism coincides with recent electoral actions taken by the Election Commission of India, which removed approximately 64 lakh absentee, shifted, dead, and duplicate (ASDD) voters from the final post–Special Intensive Revision (SIR) electoral rolls. Additionally, around 60 lakh electors have been placed “under adjudication", leaving their voting rights in limbo and contributing to the charged political atmosphere.

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Trinamool leaders argued that the CEO’s actions could impact voter participation and questioned the transparency of the revision process. Party sources emphasised that Agarwal’s alleged past discrepancies raise concerns about impartiality in managing sensitive electoral operations during a high-stakes election period. The escalation has added to the political frictions in a state already witnessing intense campaigning and scrutiny of the electoral process.

Officials from the Election Commission, however, maintained that the SIR process is part of routine electoral management aimed at ensuring accurate voter rolls and preventing duplication. While the CEO has not publicly responded to the TMC’s allegations, the ongoing exchange of accusations highlights the heightened tensions between the state government and electoral authorities as West Bengal prepares for the elections.

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