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The Trinamool Congress (TMC) took its battle to the Supreme Court on Friday, challenging a directive from the Election Commission (EC) regarding the appointment of counting supervisors. The move comes after the EC ruled that only Central Government and Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) employees would be tasked with overseeing the vote-counting process.

The TMC argues that this decision sidelines state government employees and raises serious concerns about impartiality. While the party initially sought relief from the Calcutta High Court, their petition was dismissed, prompting this urgent appeal to the top court.

Calcutta High Court Upholds Election Commission’s Discretion

Earlier on Friday, the Calcutta High Court rejected the TMC's plea, which questioned the EC's mandate to deploy only central staff for the West Bengal Assembly polls. The court upheld the validity of the directive, stating that such appointments fall squarely within the Election Commission’s discretionary powers and are not illegal.

Addressing the TMC's concerns regarding potential bias, the court dismissed the idea that Central Government staff would be prone to political influence, labeling the claims as "mere apprehensions" lacking evidence. The bench further noted that any legitimate grievances could be addressed later through an election petition under Section 100 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Welcoming the court's decision, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal told ANI:

"The writ petition has been dismissed. We have received a copy. No political party can decide who has to be included and who is not to be included. It is the discretion of the Returning Officer; he/she can include whoever he/she wants in counting or the entire election process."

Rising Tensions Amid Allegations of Targeting

The legal standoff follows a series of sharp allegations by West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC candidate Mamata Banerjee. Speaking during the second phase of polling in Bhabanipur, Banerjee claimed that "observers from outside" and police officers unfamiliar with the state's landscape were being deployed specifically to target TMC workers.

The Chief Minister highlighted an incident where her party’s youth wing president was arrested, and alleged that CRPF personnel entered a TMC councillor’s home late at night without local police present, reportedly assaulting family members.

Adding to the electoral friction, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking the immediate removal of Ajay Pal Sharma. Sharma, a high-profile IPS officer from the UP cadre, is currently serving as a Police Observer in the state.