Rajya Sabha polls 2026: Sanjay Raut backs Mamata’s ‘undeclared emergency’ claims as EC transfers Bengal officials

Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut on Friday claimed that senior BJP leaders along with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar know that Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee cannot be defeated in West Bengal reported ANIYou BJP cannot defeat Mamata Banerjee Defeating Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal is not just difficult itrsquos impossible This is known to Amit Shah PM Modi and the entire BJP Even the Chief Election Commissioner knows this Thatrsquos why they have taken complete control over West Bengal Raut told ANILabelling the transfers of top government officials as taking complete control Raut said that the people of the country stand with Mamata Banerjee and added that she will be victorious in the twophase West Bengal assembly polls scheduled for April 23 and 29Sanjay Raut slams transfers predicts Mamata Banerjee victory in BengalTransfer of the Chief Secretary Director General of Police DGP and Commissioner what will be achieved by doing this Why donrsquot similar transfers and postings happen in other states like Maharashtra and Assam The people of the country are with Mamata Banerjee We are all with her and once again Mamata Banerjee will be victorious in West Bengal the UBT Sena MP said reported ANIHis remarks come after the West Bengal CM slammed the Election Commission of India ECI and the ruling BJP at the Centre alleging that the state was being selectively targeted and calling the transfers of more than 50 senior officials an undeclared emergencyIn a post on X Banerjee claimed that the largescale transfer of senior officials reflects political interference rather than administrative necessityBengal targeted over 50 senior officials removed says Mamata BanerjeeThe manner in which the Election Commission has singled out and targeted Bengal is not just unprecedented it is deeply alarming Even before the formal notification of elections more than 50 senior officials including the Chief Secretary Home Secretary DGP ADGs IGS DIGs District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police have been summarily and arbitrarily removed she said the news agency reportedCalling it political interference of the highest order Banerjee said such actions undermine constitutional principles and indicate a systematic politicisation of institutions meant to remain impartial She also raised concerns over delays in publishing supplementary electoral rolls claiming it violates Supreme Court directions and creates uncertainty among citizensThe West Bengal assembly elections will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29 2026 with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4West Bengal first phase elections begin March 30 polling April 23According to the ECI the first phase covering 152 assembly constituencies will begin with the issuance of the gazette notification on March 30 2026 The last date for filing nominations for this phase is April 6 while scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 7 Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until April 9 Polling for the first phase will be held on April 23For the second phase which covers 142 assembly constituencies the gazette notification will be issued on April 2 2026 The last date for filing nominations is April 9 and scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 10 Candidates can withdraw their nominations until April 13 Voting for this phase is scheduled for April 29With ANI inputs