The ongoing tussle between the Mamata Banerjee-led government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) has reached the doors of the Calcutta High Court. Trinamool Congress leader and Senior Advocate Kalyan Banerjee has moved a petition against the ECI’s frequent orders to transfer high-ranking IAS and IPS officers to other states as observers.

Chief Justice Sujoy Pal’s division bench has granted permission to file the case, with a hearing scheduled for Monday. The plea argues that while the ECI is responsible for conducting elections, it does not have the absolute right to destabilize the entire state administration by shifting top-tier officials like the Chief Secretary, DMs, and DGP. TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has already written multiple letters to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that these abrupt transfers—often issued late at night—are hampering public services.

The primary legal question now is whether the High Court has the jurisdiction to stay the orders of the Election Commission, which is also a constitutional body. As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes are on the High Court’s verdict, which could redefine the power balance between the poll panel and the state executive.