Hours after the poll notification, the Election Commission of India (ECI) executed a massive administrative reshuffle by removing West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena. The move has triggered a fierce reaction from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who described it as a politically motivated act orchestrated by the BJP.

Speaking at a rally at Dorina Crossing, Mamata said, “They chose the hour of midnight to remove our officers. Nandini Chakraborty is an efficient woman officer, and removing her without consultation shows how anti-women and anti-Bengal they are.”

Taking a direct dig at the ECI, she added, “You are choosing officers who will work according to the BJP’s whims. But remember, ‘Vinash Kale Viprit Buddhi’ (When one’s destruction nears, their intelligence fails). You can change as many officers as you want, but you cannot change the hearts of the people or this government.”