TMC Moves CEC Against Bengal CEO, Alleges Biased Conduct and MCC Breach

The Trinamool Congress has submitted a high-level complaint against the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, before the Chief Election Commissioner. According to the ruling party, the state’s chief election official has indulged in “biased and partisan activities” and violated the Model Code of Conduct while visiting a critical constituency recently.
The entire issue revolves around the CEO’s recent visit to the Nandigram area of East Midnapore. While it is stated that the CEO’s office made the visit on a routine basis for interacting with the electorate in vulnerable areas, the TMC alleged that Agarwal visited the place along with a BJP leader. In a letter to the CEC, Gyanesh Kumar, the Trinamool Congress said that the CEO was guided by the BJP leader to talk to particular voters.
The formal complaint by the TMC has pointed out the following:

• Unfair Influence: This case involves allegations of corrupt practices in violation of the Representation of People’s Act (RPA).
• Violation of RPA: Sections 129 and 134 have been referred to regarding this issue, where it has been pointed out that it is mandatory to remain neutral on the issue of elections.
• Demanding Removal: It is alleged that the violation of the MCC which came into force on 15th March makes it necessary to remove Mr. Agarwal in order to have free and fair elections.
  Response from the Office of the CEO
  The office of the CEO has rejected the allegations as “blatantly false and mischievous,” where officials have pointed out that such visits are made as part of an overall plan to keep vigil on certain areas known for election violence.

Tensions Rising:
This is part of a series of grievances raised against the state government by the TMC over the impartiality of election administration infrastructure. Earlier in the week, the party had even approached the ECI to have the Returning Officer of the Bhabanipur constituency removed due to his “documented close association” with the BJP leadership.
With the state gearing up for its phased assembly polls, the Election Commission of India now stands at a crossroads of handling the charges of administrative prejudice without compromising on the process of voting itself. There has been no statement made by the office of the Chief Election Commissioner about when the probe will be initiated.