West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising concerns over the transfer of several senior state officials soon after the announcement of the 2026 Assembly elections.
In a letter dated March 16, the Chief Minister questioned the recent orders issued by the Election Commission of India on March 15 and 16, directing the replacement of key officers in the state administration. The orders include the transfer of the Chief Secretary, the Secretary (Home and Hill Affairs), and the Director General & Inspector General of Police, along with other senior officials.
CM Banerjee said the transfers were carried out "without any cogent reasons and without any allegation of violation, misconduct or lapse in relation to the conduct of elections."
What did the letter say?
In the letter, the Chief Minister referred to the constitutional provisions governing election-related duties. She noted that under Article 324 of the Constitution, along with Section 13CC of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and Section 28A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, officers involved in election work are considered to be on deputation to the Election Commission during the election period.
While acknowledging that the Commission has the authority to transfer such officers, Mamata Banerjee said that historically the Commission has followed a consultative process with the state government.
"Historically, during the previous elections, the Commission, while exercising these powers, has consistently consulted the State Government as a matter of constitutional propriety and administrative convention within our federal framework," she wrote.
Appeal to avoid unilateral decisions
CM Banerjee expressed surprise that the heads of the administrative machinery in West Bengal were removed within hours of the press release announcing the General Election to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2026.
She said the action was taken "in an arbitrary manner, without seeking a panel of officers from the State Government and without adhering to the established convention that has guided ECI-State institutional functioning during previous elections".
The Chief Minister also said such steps could undermine the spirit of cooperative federalism and democratic governance. She urged the Commission to avoid unilateral decisions in the future, stating that such measures risk affecting the "legacy, credibility and institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India" and the principles of the constitutional framework.
