EC illegally using mobile apps developed by BJP's IT cell to conduct SIR, alleges Mamata
Gangasagar (WB) (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday escalated her confrontation with the Election Commission, alleging that the poll panel was illegally using mobile applications developed by the BJP's IT cell to conduct the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in the state.
The BJP rejected the charge as baseless and politically motivated.
Speaking to reporters before concluding her two-day visit to Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district to review preparations for the annual Gangasagar Mela, Banerjee accused the EC of adopting what she described as "wrong, unconstitutional and undemocratic" methods in carrying out the revision exercise ahead of next year's assembly elections.
"The EC is resorting to all kinds of wrong moves for conducting the SIR. It is marking eligible voters as dead, and forcing the elderly, ill and indisposed to attend hearings. It is making use of mobile apps developed by the BJP's IT cell for the exercise. This is illegal, unconstitutional and undemocratic. This cannot go on," the chief minister alleged.
Her remarks marked the sharpest charge yet in a rapidly intensifying standoff between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government and the poll panel over the SIR, an exercise mandated periodically to update and verify electoral rolls, but has turned out to be politically contentious in West Bengal.
Banerjee's fresh allegations came on a day when senior TMC leader and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien moved the Supreme Court against the Election Commission, accusing it of taking recourse to "arbitrary and procedurally irregular actions" while conducting the revision.
In its petition, the TMC claimed the SIR exercise had "substantially aggravated difficulties faced by eligible and bona fide electors" across the state, particularly among elderly voters, the infirm and those from marginalised backgrounds.
Addressing reporters, Banerjee appealed to the public to exercise caution while participating in the revision process.
"I urge the people to remain careful while participating in SIR. They must stand beside those who need help. They don't need to support me; support only those who are in trouble because of this exercise," she said.
The chief minister alleged that names of genuine voters were being struck off arbitrarily, creating fear and confusion at the grassroots.
The TMC supremo claimed that even bedridden elderly citizens were being compelled to appear before officials as part of the verification process.
Banerjee had on Monday announced her intention to move court against the SIR, blaming what she called "administrative arbitrariness" linked to the exercise for deaths and hospitalisations in the state.
"We are also taking legal recourse. We will go to court. So many people have died, so many have been harassed in the name of this exercise," she had said on Monday, adding that she was prepared to approach the apex court herself, if required, as a "common citizen".
"If needed, I will seek permission and go to the Supreme Court to plead on behalf of the people. I am a lawyer, but I will not go as a lawyer. I will go as an ordinary citizen and speak for those who are being harassed," she had said.
The SIR has emerged as a flashpoint in West Bengal's charged political atmosphere ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, with the ruling TMC repeatedly alleging that the exercise is being used to disenfranchise sections of voters in the state, a charge denied by the Election Commission.
While the poll panel has maintained that the revision is being conducted strictly in accordance with established rules and procedures, the TMC has stepped up its campaign against the exercise, both on the streets and in court.
Banerjee's allegation that mobile applications developed by the BJP's IT cell were being used in an official electoral exercise added a new political dimension to the controversy, drawing a sharp response from the BJP.
Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Suvendu Adhikari dismissed the allegations as "baseless" and politically motivated.
"SIR is a routine administrative process overseen by the Election Commission and is essential to ensure the integrity of electoral rolls. The TMC is angry because it is wary that its vote bank of infiltrators and fake voters will be exposed," he said.
The BJP has accused the TMC of attempting to undermine constitutional institutions and create unnecessary panic among voters ahead of the elections.
The election to the 294-member assembly is due in April-May this year.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
