Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Mar 12: West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has expressed confidence that the Election Commission of India (ECI) will take appropriate steps to address the ongoing controversy surrounding allegations of bogus voters in the state.

Addressing the media at an event organized by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at its Panitanki border outpost in Darjeeling, the Governor remarked, “These issues typically arise before elections. The authenticity of the allegations must be established, and since the matter is now with the Election Commission, I trust that a fair decision will be taken.”

His statement comes a day after a delegation of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs met with the ECI’s full bench in Delhi, raising concerns over duplicate voter ID numbers across the country. The delegation also submitted a memorandum demanding a detailed state-wise breakdown of EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) numbers with duplications.

On the Kolkata Police’s request to establish a police outpost within the Jadavpur University campus, Governor Bose said that the final decision rests with the university authorities. However, he emphasized that any such decision must adhere to existing legal guidelines.

“If the decision follows the legal framework, I will not intervene. However, as the university’s chancellor, I will step in if I perceive any irregularities or injustice. That time has not come yet,” he stated.

During his address, Governor Bose also lauded the Union government's National Education Policy (NEP), calling it a transformative initiative for the education sector.

“The NEP is both India-centric and science-oriented. With its implementation, our educational institutions will soon evolve into global centers of excellence,” he asserted.

With election-related tensions on the rise and administrative decisions under scrutiny, the Governor’s remarks signal a watchful stance on critical issues in West Bengal.