‘Democracy under threat’: Kejriwal supports Mamata in EC row

The political temperature ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections intensified on Thursday, with Arvind Kejriwal extending support to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and accusing the BJP of misusing the Election Commission of India to influence poll outcomes.

The AAP convenor alleged that the ruling party at the Centre has “turned the Election Commission into a weapon” to secure electoral victories. Drawing parallels with past elections in Delhi, Kejriwal claimed that similar tactics were used to tilt the balance , including alleged manipulation of voter lists and administrative bias.

Referring to his party’s defeat in the 2022 Delhi Assembly elections , Kejriwal said the situation unfolding in West Bengal mirrors what AAP experienced earlier . He alleged that governance systems were misused and law enforcement agencies allowed undue political advantage during the polls.

Backing Banerjee’s stand, he said the Trinamool Congress leader is “fighting to save democracy” and assured her of support in what he described as a larger battle to protect democratic institutions .

Meanwhile, Banerjee intensified her criticism of the Election Commission, raising concerns over the transfer and removal of several senior officials in the poll-bound state. She termed the reshuffle of top bureaucrats, including key administrative and police officials, as “political interference of the highest order” and a “direct assault on constitutional principles.”

The Election Commission recently announced that polling in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29 , with counting scheduled for May 4 . As campaigning gathers pace, the exchange of sharp allegations signals a high-stakes electoral contest in the state.