Opinion | Governor Change, SIR Mess And President Rebuke To Mamata: Decoding The Bengal Turmoil

These developments unfold amid deteriorating law and order, mutual accusations of political interference, and growing concerns over electoral integrity as polling approaches

The turmoil gripping West Bengal as the assembly elections approach reveals a deepening constitutional and administrative crisis.

Recent events – from the contentious special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to the abrupt resignation of Governor CV Ananda Bose followed by the appointment of RN Ravi, and President Droupadi Murmu’s sharp criticism during her visit to North Bengal – underscore escalating tensions between the ruling Trinamool Congress and central institutions. These developments unfold amid deteriorating law and order, mutual accusations of political interference, and growing concerns over electoral integrity.

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On March 7, President Murmu attended the 9th International Santhal Conference in North Bengal’s Darjeeling district. She publicly voiced strong displeasure over the state government’s decision to shift the venue from a spacious site in Bidhannagar (under Phansidewa block) to a cramped location in Gosainpur near Bagdogra airport.

Murmu disputed the administration’s claim of congestion at the original site, having visited it herself and confirming it could accommodate up to five lakh people. She suggested that the change was deliberate so as to limit attendance from the Santhal community.

“Someone doesn’t want Santhals to get united, to progress, to get educated…someone doesn’t want Santhals to become strong," Murmu had said.

She highlighted protocol breaches, noting the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or any cabinet ministers to receive her, and pondered if Banerjee was “angry" or “upset" with her. Positioning herself as a “daughter of Bengal" and Banerjee as her “younger sister", she said such lapses undermine institutional respect while asserting no personal grudges but insisting on proper adherence to norms.

This intervention marked a rare and pointed critique from the highest constitutional office, directly implicating the TMC government’s handling of tribal affairs and official protocols.

PRESIDENT’S REBUKE EXPOSES GOVERNANCE FAILURES

Murmu’s remarks went beyond mere disappointment, framing the venue shift as potentially intentional sabotage against tribal unity and development.

By publicly questioning the motives behind restricting Santhal participation, Murmu cast doubt on the administration’s commitment to marginalised communities especially in North Bengal where tribal populations are significant. Her personal inspection of the original venue amplified her criticism, exposing what she implied were fabricated excuses by the authorities.

The protocol lapse – absence of Banerjee and her ministers – was portrayed as a deliberate slight, with her expressing sadness over the lack of basic courtesies expected during a presidential visit. This rare public airing of grievances from Rashtrapati Bhavan triggered immediate backlash from the BJP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed it “shameful and unprecedented", accusing the TMC of insulting the President’s office. Union home minister Amit Shah echoed this, calling it hurtful to democratic sentiments and demanding a report from the state chief secretary.

Banerjee hit back fiercely, denying any breach and clarifying that the event was organised by the private International Santal Council, not the state. She accused the BJP of manipulating the President’s office for electoral gains, urging Murmu not to “play politics" on the party’s advice ahead of polls.

She highlighted her government’s tribal welfare schemes and questioned the President’s silence on alleged atrocities in BJP-ruled states like Manipur and Chhattisgarh. Yet, the President’s pointed words have intensified scrutiny on the TMC’s governance, portraying it as obstructive and disrespectful toward constitutional authorities.

THE SIR CONTROVERSY: THREAT TO ELECTORAL FAIRNESS

The SIR, the first such statewide exercise since 2002, has emerged as a major flashpoint. Initiated by the Election Commission (EC), it aimed to clean up voter lists by verifying entries and removing ineligible names, including those marked as dead, relocated, duplicates, or untraceable.

Draft electoral rolls published in late 2025 witnessed more than 58 lakh deletions initially, with Banerjee claiming up to 1.2 crore names could ultimately be removed, including many genuine voters affected by minor discrepancies like surname errors or spelling mistakes.

The TMC approached the Supreme Court, arguing the exercise disproportionately targeted vulnerable groups, including married women and migrant workers, and risked disenfranchising legitimate voters in TMC strongholds. The Supreme Court intervened multiple times, extending deadlines for the final list (published around late February after revisions), insisting no impediments to the process would be tolerated, and even appointing judicial officers for oversight amid reports of security lapses and mob attacks on EC observers.

While the EC defended the SIR as essential for accurate rolls, the TMC alleged it was timed to favour the BJP by scrutinising minority-heavy or border areas. Final figures showed over 63 lakh deletions, significantly reducing the electorate and raising questions about whether the revised rolls truly reflect the state’s voters or introduce bias.

This adversarial dynamic between the TMC government and EC has eroded trust, making free and fair elections appear increasingly challenging once the model code of conduct activates.

GOVERNOR’S EXIT: OPTICS OVER SUBSTANCE?

The resignation of Bose in early March, after over three years in office and his replacement by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi (who holds additional charge), added fuel to speculation.

Bose’s tenure had seen friction with the TMC, including public differences over state issues. Banerjee expressed shock, claiming that she was not consulted on the change as per convention and alleging pressure from the Union home minister for “political reasons".

The move prompted whispers of preparations for President’s Rule if post-poll instability arises, though at this pre-election stage, the governor’s role remains largely ceremonial unless invoked under Article 356.

Ravi’s appointment, given his controversial record in Tamil Nadu involving clashes with the state government, signals continuity in a more assertive central stance toward opposition-ruled states. Yet, with elections imminent, the new governor’s influence appears limited unless extraordinary circumstances emerge.

ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND ADMINISTRATIVE WARFARE

West Bengal’s political landscape is now defined by tussle, fear, and administrative control battles. Reports of violence, attacks on officials involved in SIR duties, and mutual blame between the TMC and BJP highlight a deteriorating law and order situation.

The TMC accuses the Centre of weaponising agencies and institutions to destabilise the state, while the opposition claims the ruling party fosters a culture of intimidation to suppress dissent.

As polling nears, the core question persists: can elections proceed freely and fairly amid such polarisation? The President’s scathing critique laid bare perceived governance failures and protocol disrespect; the SIR mess questioned voter inclusion; and the governor’s change hinted at deeper central interventions.

These elements combine to create an environment where administrative independence is challenged, electoral credibility hangs in balance, and democratic norms face strain.

(The author teaches journalism at St Xavier’s College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views)

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