‘Leaders Win Elections, Not Officers’: CM Omar Backs Mamata Banerjee Over EC Trasnfer Row | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday backed Mamata Banerjee amid the ongoing controversy over large-scale transfer of officials in West Bengal, asserting that elections are won by political leaders, not officers.

Reacting to Mamata Banerjee’s remarks on X, CM Omar said that such sweeping transfers are usually witnessed in non-BJP ruled states, particularly West Bengal, but expressed confidence that it will not impact the electoral outcome. “Officers don’t win elections for political parties, the leaders of political parties do.”

CM Omar said that, “No amount of effort by the Election Commission to gerrymander will change the results. Come counting day, Mamata Didi will win a thumping majority.”

Earlier, Mamata Banerjee had strongly criticised the Election Commission of India, alleging that the manner in which Bengal was being singled out was “unprecedented” and “deeply alarming.” She claimed that more than 50 senior officials, including top bureaucrats and police officers, were removed even before the formal notification of elections.

She termed the action as “political interference of the highest order” and accused the Commission of undermining constitutional principles by politicising institutions meant to remain impartial. She also raised concerns over the delay in publication of supplementary electoral rolls, alleging non-compliance with directions of the Supreme Court.

The West Bengal Chief Minister further alleged that senior officers from key agencies were being selectively removed to weaken the state’s administrative machinery, calling it a “deliberate design” to control the state through coercion and institutional manipulation.

Questioning the intent behind the actions, she accused the BJP of attempting to capture power through intimidation and misuse of institutions, asserting that the people of Bengal would resist such efforts. “Bengal will fight, Bengal will resist and Bengal will decisively defeat every attempt to impose a divisive agenda,” she said.

Omar Abdullah’s remarks come as political reactions continue to pour in over the Election Commission’s actions ahead of polls in West Bengal. (KNC)