Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) following the abrupt removal of West Bengal’s Chief Secretary and Home Secretary. Terming the move as “clandestine midnight vandalism” and a “forceful push-out,” the TMC supremo accused the commission of acting under the direct influence of the BJP-led central government.

Focusing on the removal of Home Secretary Nandini Chakravarty, Mamata alleged a deep-rooted ‘anti-Bengal and anti-Bengali’ sentiment driving these administrative shuffles. Interestingly, she also strongly advocated for competent non-Bengali officers serving in the state, stating that dedicated bureaucrats are being humiliated and victimized for political gains. “Why are efficient officers being targeted every time an election approaches?” she questioned during an aggressive press briefing.

The Chief Minister suggested that the BJP is using the Commission as a tool to destabilize the state administration before the polls. By framing the EC’s action as an assault on the state’s executive dignity, Mamata has set the stage for a high-decibel campaign centered on regional pride and administrative interference. As the political tug-of-war intensifies, the replacement of top brass officers remains a flashpoint in the Bengal power struggle.