West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has fired off another strongly-worded letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, flagging what she called two “disturbing yet urgent developments” in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The CM has questioned whether these moves are being carried out “under pressure from a political party”, escalating the already fierce political battle between the TMC and BJP over the revision exercise.

This is Banerjee’s second letter to the CEC in just a few days. Her earlier communication had accused the Election Commission of overseeing an “unplanned, chaotic and dangerous” SIR process that has resulted in the deaths of several booth-level officers (BLOs) across states.

Inside Mamata’s New Letter

In her latest letter, Banerjee raised two key concerns.

1. Outsourcing of technical staff

She claimed that the EC has barred the engagement of contractual data-entry operators and Bangla Sahyata Kendra (BSK) workers for SIR and election-related work. Instead, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, has floated a request to outsource 1,000 data-entry operators and 50 software developers for a full year.

Questioning the rationale behind the move, she wrote:

“When district offices already have a substantial number of competent professionals performing such functions, what necessitates outsourcing through an external agency for a full year?”

Banerjee hinted at political interference, asking whether the outsourcing plan was being carried out “at the behest of a political party” to serve vested interests. She said the timing and nature of the RfP “raise legitimate doubts.”

2. Polling stations inside private residential complexes

Her second objection was the EC’s alleged consideration of setting up polling booths inside private housing complexes—something traditionally avoided.

Calling the proposal “deeply problematic”, Banerjee said private buildings create clear distinctions between privileged residents and the general public, thereby violating norms of fairness.

She again questioned whether the idea was being pushed due to “pressure from a political party”, warning that such a move could severely impact the neutrality of the election process.

The CM urged the EC to examine both issues with “seriousness, impartiality and transparency” to ensure the Commission’s dignity and credibility “remain above reproach.”

TMC vs BJP Over SIR

The SIR exercise has already turned into a major flashpoint in Bengal politics. The TMC alleges the EC is “acting to appease a political party”, especially after multiple BLO deaths during the revision drive.

The BJP, on the other hand, has attacked Banerjee, accusing her of trying to shield “ineligible and illegal infiltrators” from being removed from the voter list.

With the CM doubling down in her latest letter, the confrontation between the two sides looks set to intensify further.