Poll body singling out Bengal: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of "singling out" the state through a sweeping bureaucratic reshuffle ahead of the Assembly elections, calling it "political interference of the highest order" and a direct assault on constitutional norms.

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In a series of strongly worded posts on X, Banerjee alleged that the ECI's actions were unprecedented and unfairly targeted Bengal.

"The manner in which the Election Commission has singled out and targeted Bengal is not just unprecedented - it is deeply alarming," she wrote, citing the removal of over 50 senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), Additional Director Generals (ADGs), Inspectors General (IGS), District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPS), even before formal election notification.

The reshuffle, ordered by the ECI on March 17, saw Dushyant Nariala replace Nandini Chakravarty as Chief Secretary and Siddh Nath Gupta succeed Rajeev Kumar as DGP. Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and several other key officials were also transferred.

The poll body described the moves as part of a routine review of election preparedness, directing that transferred officers be barred from poll-related duties and urging immediate compliance.

"These transfers are to ensure a level playing field," an ECI spokesperson said in New Delhi.