EC toughens stand, gives ultimatum to WB on transfers

Toughening its stand, the Election Commission today rejected West Bengal government's plea for reconsideration of transfer of seven top officials and gave an ultimatum to it for complying with its order by 10 AM tomorrow.

Unfazed by the severe criticism of its action by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Commission today told the state Chief Secretary that its order of April 7 should be complied with by tomorrow morning.

The Chief Secretary had this morning written to the Commission that it reconsider its yesterday's order transferring one District Magistrate, two additional DMs and Superintendents of Police of Malda, Murshidabad, Burdwan, West Midnapore and Jargram.
One of the SPs had dual charge of West Midnapore and Jargram districts.

A total 19 of Lok Sabha seats form part of these districts. The state has a total of 42 Lok Sabha seats.

"We have reconsidered their request and reiterated that our orders of April 7 should be complied with by 10 AM tomorrow," EC sources said on the Chief Secretary's plea.

The EC order yesterday had triggered a major row with the Chief Minister threatening to defy it saying none of the officials will be shifted as long as she is the chief minister.

She had dared the poll panel to act against her, asserting she was prepared to be arrested and go to jail.

In his letter, the Chief Secretary pointed out that the transfers and their replacements were done without consulting the state government.

Addressing an election rally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had yesterday taken serious exception to the transfers and said she was not going to accept the order.

Banerjee continued  to fume over the EC order. "I know what is Constitution. I abide by the Constitution. We pay respect as deserved. But no one has the right to insult Bengal.

I have not given you the right to insult me when I give respect to you," she said in a public meeting in Purulia without naming EC.

"I will live with my head high as long as I live. I am not afraid of threats from Delhi," she said.