Protests over SIR NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Tuesday agreed to Trinamool Congress’s request for a meeting with the poll body, against the backdrop of the party attributing the recent suicides and deaths of booth level officers (BLOs) to “workload” arising out of the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) in the state, reports Bharti Jain.Responding to the request from TMC MP Derek O’Brien for an appointment to a 10-member delegation of party MPs, the commission, in a letter addressed to party chairperson Mamata Banerjee and copied to Derek, invited the delegation – though a truncated one, comprising the TMC’s ‘authorised representative’ and four other members – for a meeting at 11 am on Friday (Nov 28).Mamata had Monday written to EC expressing concerns over the proposed hiring of 1,000 data entry operators by the West Bengal chief electoral officer and the EC proposal to set up polling stations in private housing complexes.EC, in its reply Tuesday, said it welcomes regular interaction with political parties and sought names of the five members for the TMC delegation. The reduced strength of the delegation was, however, questioned by national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who asked why EC was scared to face 10 MPs. He even dared EC to telecast the meeting live.Derek, meanwhile, wrote to EC again Tuesday, reiterating the 10 names for the delegation. Interestingly, the ‘authorised representatives’ of the party – who, as per EC records, are Lok Sabha MPs Abhishek Banerjee and Kakoli Dastidar – do not figure on this list of 10.Sources in EC said as per the rule, only the party president or “authorised party representatives” declared to the commission can nominate members of their party’s delegation for a meeting with EC. Commission sources said it may write back to Derek pointing out this norm and request that the communication naming members of the delegation be sent to it by either Trinamool chairperson Mamata or its two ‘authorised representatives’, as per EC records.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosKejriwal, Mann Pay Homage to Ninth Sikh Guru on 350th Martyrdom DayYogi Adityanath Uncovers The Dark Truth Of Mughal’S Tyranny On Shaheedi DiwasIndia Entering ‘Golden Era’ Of Defence Innovation And Self-Reliance: Rajnath Singh‘Until Brahmin Donates His Daughter’: IAS Officer’S Remark Sparks Row, Issues Clarification’A Nation That Never Bows to Terror, Operation Sindoor Shows New India’s Resolve, Says PM ModiChina Rejects Charge of Harassing Indian Woman in Shanghai, But Insists Claim Over Arunachal PradeshMamata Banerjee Warns BJP With Nation-Shaking Threat As SIR Battle Erupts In Bengal Ahead Of PollsAssam CM Calls Zubeen Garg’S Death ‘Plain Murder’, Drops Explosive RevelationDrone Show Pays Homage To Guru Tegh Bahadur In 350th Martyrdom Anniversary Event At Anandpur SahibRed Fort Attack May Derail Benjamin Netanyahu’s India Visit As Israeli Media Flags Safety Concerns123PhotostoriesBollywood actresses whose film style moments still inspire iconic fashion trends today5 electric blue animals that seem to be painted with ocean water6 factors that are essential to balance blood sugar naturallyThe most viral MET Gala moments you almost forgot10 phrases your child should avoid saying and what to teach them insteadExclusive – Bigg Boss 19: From opening up about her relationship with Kumar Sanu to calling Malti Chahar a ‘lesbian’; Kunickaa Sadanand breaks silence on her journey5 celebrity looks of the day that are setting major fashion goalsMrs. Gump’s most inspiring life lessons from Forrest Gump that still inspire generations8 modern-sounding baby boy names in Sanskrit and their meaningWinter-Friendly Fruits: 8 plants that thrives in cold-weather gardens123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeCyclone SenyarGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJoel EmbiidAyesha CurryKevin DurantTrey BensonStefon DiggsMLB Trade RumorsKayla NicoleJaxson DartPatricia SouthallLos Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Tuesday agreed to Trinamool Congress’s request for a meeting with the poll body, against the backdrop of the party attributing the recent suicides and deaths of booth level officers (BLOs) to “workload” arising out of the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) in the state, reports Bharti Jain.Responding to the request from TMC MP Derek O’Brien for an appointment to a 10-member delegation of party MPs, the commission, in a letter addressed to party chairperson Mamata Banerjee and copied to Derek, invited the delegation – though a truncated one, comprising the TMC’s ‘authorised representative’ and four other members – for a meeting at 11 am on Friday (Nov 28).Mamata had Monday written to EC expressing concerns over the proposed hiring of 1,000 data entry operators by the West Bengal chief electoral officer and the EC proposal to set up polling stations in private housing complexes.EC, in its reply Tuesday, said it welcomes regular interaction with political parties and sought names of the five members for the TMC delegation. The reduced strength of the delegation was, however, questioned by national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who asked why EC was scared to face 10 MPs. He even dared EC to telecast the meeting live.Derek, meanwhile, wrote to EC again Tuesday, reiterating the 10 names for the delegation. Interestingly, the ‘authorised representatives’ of the party – who, as per EC records, are Lok Sabha MPs Abhishek Banerjee and Kakoli Dastidar – do not figure on this list of 10.Sources in EC said as per the rule, only the party president or “authorised party representatives” declared to the commission can nominate members of their party’s delegation for a meeting with EC. Commission sources said it may write back to Derek pointing out this norm and request that the communication naming members of the delegation be sent to it by either Trinamool chairperson Mamata or its two ‘authorised representatives’, as per EC records.
