BJP seal on ECI document sparks row, Abhishek Banerjee calls it “betrayal of democracy”

A political controversy has erupted ahead of the Assembly elections after a document issued by the Election Commission of India was found bearing the seal of the Bharatiya Janata Party, raising serious questions over institutional neutrality. The issue gained traction after the document surfaced publicly, triggering sharp reactions from opposition leaders and intensifying the political atmosphere in poll-bound states, including West Bengal.

Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee strongly criticised the development on social media, linking it to broader concerns about institutional integrity. In a sharply worded post, he alleged that constitutional bodies were being weakened, stating that the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the Chief Election Commissioner selection panel reflected a disturbing trend. He warned that if such patterns continue, even judicial decisions could appear politically influenced, calling it a “betrayal of both duty and democracy.”

The controversy deepened as details emerged that the document in question was originally a 2019 communication sent from the office of the Chief Election Commissioner to state authorities. However, the copy that resurfaced reportedly carried the seal of the BJP’s Kerala unit, including its party symbol. This raised concerns over how such a marked document could circulate within official channels without detection.

Responding to the uproar, the Election Commission clarified that the incident was a “clerical error.” According to the Commission, the BJP’s Kerala unit had submitted a photocopy of the old directive along with a request for information, and due to oversight, the same stamped copy was inadvertently shared further. Despite the clarification, opposition parties continue to question how such an error occurred, keeping the controversy alive ahead of crucial elections.