SIR: Bengal govt partially implemented suspension of seven poll officials, says ECI

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Kolkata, Feb 18 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s announcement claiming that the seven Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) who had been suspended by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on charges of dereliction of duty will be utilised in state administrative duties other than electoral assignments is being view by the poll panel as the partial and negligible implementation of that suspension.

Sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, explained that besides the suspension of the seven AEROs, the Commission had also directed the West Bengal government to initiate departmental proceedings against these seven electoral officers.

“Now the question of the commission is how a departmental inquiry would be effectively carried out by the state government when the higher administrative chair in the state is interpreting the suspension as just shifting them from electoral assignment to other administrative assignments. So the Commission feels that the suspension of the seven AEROs has not been implemented in the true spirit of it at least what had been evident from the statements of the Chief Minister on Tuesday,” said sources in the CEO’s office.

He also said that the Commission is keeping a close watch on the development.

“It will wait for a couple of days and then again seek a report from the state government on the initiation of a departmental probe against these seven AEROs,” the sources said.

The seven AEROs suspended by the ECI are Sefaur Rahaman from Samserganj Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district, Nitish Das from Farakka Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district, Dalia Ray Choudhury from Maynaguri Assembly constituency in Jalpaiguri district, Murshid Alam from Suti Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district, Satyajit Das and Joydeep Kundu from Canning (Purba) Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district, and Debashis Biswas from Debra Assembly constituency in West Midnapore district.

Legal experts, however, feel that a proper departmental probe against these seven AEROs will be inevitable, especially after the announcement of the polling dates for the crucial Assembly polls later this year and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in force immediately from the time of announcement.

“Then the entire administrative control of the state government will come under ECI and the departmental probe against these seven AEROs will be inevitable. But in that case, it would be a major loss of face for the state government,” said a legal expert.

–IANS

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The complainant, Sarathkumar, a resident of Periammapalayam in Perambalur district, alleged that he was manhandled by TVK’s security personnel during the recent party conference in Madurai.

He claimed that while trying to approach Vijay on stage, the bouncers physically threw him off a ramp, causing him distress.

Based on his complaint, the Kunnam police have registered a case against Vijay and the bouncers under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code.

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Responding to Vijay’s remarks praising her late husband Vijayakanth at the same meeting, Premalatha asserted that “Captain”, as Vijayakanth was popularly called, remained an indispensable leader in Tamil Nadu politics after M.G. Ramachandran (MGR).

She reiterated that the legacy of Vijayakanth was still strong and would continue to inspire cadres across the state.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Assembly elections, she declared that the DMDK-led inclusive alliance would emerge victorious and said more details about electoral strategy would be shared at the party’s upcoming conference in Cuddalore on January 9.

She also welcomed the growing demand for power-sharing in Tamil Nadu politics, calling it a positive sign for the state’s future.

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Arunachal: Assam Rifles–Indian Coast Guard joint bike rally ends at Pangsau Pass

Itanagar, Feb 9 (IANS) Symbolising unity and inter-service synergy, the Assam Rifles–Indian Coast Guard joint bike rally culminated at the historic Pangsau Pass on Monday, officials said. ​

​Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that Phase-II of the ‘Samudra se Parvat Tak’ joint bike rally, organised by the Indian Coast Guard in collaboration with the Assam Rifles, marked the successful completion of a unique outreach initiative highlighting national resolve and seamless integration between India’s maritime and land-based forces. ​

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Motivational talks were delivered, and inspirational films showcasing the ethos, roles, and commitment of the Indian Coast Guard and the Assam Rifles were screened to instil values of discipline, service, and nation-building among the youth.

​The rally was flagged in at Pangsau Pass by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Assam Rifles. The culmination ceremony featured a vibrant Assam Rifles pipe band performance, presentation of mementoes, and interactions with local residents, including cross-border engagement with Myanmar nationals, reinforcing people-to-people connections and fostering goodwill along the international boundary.

​The spokesman said that the ‘Samudra se Parvat Tak’ joint bike rally stands as a strong expression of inter-service coordination, youth engagement and border outreach, strengthening national integration from the seas to the mountains. ​

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Taking to ‘X’, CM Sarma wrote, “Visited the residence of late Kabindra Purkayastha in Silchar to pay my obeisance to the departed soul who made rich contributions to Assam’s society and polity. His ideals will always guide us.”

Talking to reporters here, the Chief Minister mentioned, “Kabindra Purkayastha made immense contribution to the expansion of the BJP in the northeast and his departure has created a vacuum in the lives of lakhs of party workers of the BJP. He was a stalwart and a guiding light to us.”

Sarma also argued that there was no holiday declared following Purkayastha’s death as the BJP leader himself was a workaholic and declaring a holiday would have been against his principles.

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