West Bengal Chief Minister Threatens Constitutional Crisis, Vows Support for Impeachment Motion Against Chief Election Commissioner

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between state governments and India's constitutional bodies, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared on Tuesday her unequivocal support for any parliamentary motion to impeach Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The announcement came during a press conference in Delhi, where Banerjee was flanked by families affected by the SIR (Special Investigation Report) controversy, strategically linking electoral governance concerns with broader social grievances. This declaration follows her delegation's contentious meeting with the Election Commission on Monday, after which she publicly accused Commissioner Kumar of 'insulting' the state representatives. Analysts note this move represents a significant political gambit, potentially testing the boundaries of institutional independence ahead of crucial state elections. The threat of impeachment—a rarely invoked constitutional mechanism—signals an unprecedented confrontation between regional political forces and central electoral authority. Banerjee's positioning as a defender of state rights against perceived central overreach may recalibrate opposition strategy nationwide, while raising serious questions about the Election Commission's operational autonomy during politically sensitive periods.