A major development is set to unfold in the Supreme Court. For the first time in India’s history, a sitting Chief Minister will personally argue a case before the apex court. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is preparing to appear as a lawyer in a case linked to her political battle with the Election Commission of India.
The Supreme Court will hear her petition challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process conducted by the Election Commission. The case will come up before a bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant. Mamata has chosen to represent herself in this high-stakes legal fight.
Chief Minister Turns Lawyer for Historic Hearing
Usually, Chief Ministers rely on senior advocates to argue cases on their behalf. However, Mamata Banerjee has taken a different path. She holds a law degree from Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College in Kolkata. Therefore, she decided to step into the courtroom herself.
Mamata sought permission to argue the case as a party-in-person. If allowed, this would mark a first in the country’s legal and political history. A sitting Chief Minister personally presenting arguments has never happened before. As a result, both legal experts and political observers are watching the case closely.
Row Over Voter List Revision in West Bengal
Meanwhile, the controversy centres on the voter list revision carried out by the Election Commission in West Bengal. The Commission issued notices for the removal of nearly 58 lakh voters from the electoral rolls. Mamata has strongly objected to this move.
She questioned how such a large number of names could be removed over minor discrepancies. According to her, elections are a celebration of democracy. Therefore, she asked how voters could be denied their right to participate in such a process. Despite her objections, the Election Commission has not rolled back the revision.
Allegations Over SIR Process and AI Use
Mamata Banerjee has raised serious concerns over the SIR process. She alleged that the revision targets lakhs of innocent voters, especially minorities. She also claimed that officials are using digital systems and artificial intelligence to delete voter names.
According to Mamata, these actions point to a larger conspiracy. She warned that such practices threaten the foundations of democracy. Therefore, she moved the Supreme Court seeking immediate intervention.
Demand for 2026 Elections on Old Voter Rolls
In her petition, Mamata demanded that the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections be conducted using the existing voter list. She argued that any large-scale changes ahead of elections could influence democratic outcomes.
With the Supreme Court set to hear the case, the matter has gained national attention. The hearing is expected to have wide political and constitutional implications in the coming months.
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