Alleging a nexus between the BJP and the Election Commission (EC), TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday said BJP leaders have literally become spokespersons of the poll panel, eroding its autonomy under the Narendra Modi-led government.Speaking to reporters at Kolkata airport here on his return from Delhi, Banerjee said autonomous central agencies like the EC and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have become stooges of the Modi government and are being used by the BJP to harass Opposition leaders like him without a shred of hard evidence.“The EC is not neutral, not impartial, and is not working for the Constitution’s welfare. The fight against the Election Commission will continue everywhere,” the TMC MP, also considered Number 2 in the party, said.Stating that the Election Commission failed to reply to the questions raised by the Opposition parties over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, as well as allegations of discrepancy in the electoral rolls, the Diamond Harbour MP said: “…Instead, the Commission deflected and tried to pin the blame on the Opposition parties. If you look at the guidelines of the EI, you will see that no affidavits are required. If there are errors in the electoral rolls, then the ERO of the ECI can take suo motu cognisance and investigate.”He was referring to the EC’s directive asking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to submit an affidavit regarding his allegations of voter fraud.Reiterating his demand for dissolution of Lok Sabha and calling fresh General Elections in the country if the EC goes ahead with SIR in the country, Abhishek said: “Even the EC admitted there are many dead voters. If elections in 2024 were based on such rolls, then an FIR needs to be filed and an investigation conducted. Now, the EC says that if an affidavit is not filed within seven days by people whose names have been removed, then their claims are not valid.”Accusing BJP leader and Union Minister Anurag Thakur of falsely claiming that bogus voters were included in the electoral rolls of Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat, the senior TMC leader said, “I had submitted proof to Anuragji about the existence of most of those genuine voters in my seat, barring very few who had died in the meantime. There has been no word from him on the issue afterwards.”Story continues below this adAsserting that “we are not afraid to face the electorate, unlike the BJP which seeks to win by fraudulent means in collusion with the EC,” Banerjee questioned, “Why are BJP leaders like Anurag Thakur speaking in favour of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise on behalf of the EC?” Taking a swipe at Thakur, he said, “BJP leaders in Delhi make tall, absurd, and bogus claims. When confronted with facts, they never own up to their mistakes. Thakur has little understanding of Bengal and its people.”Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd