West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee achieved a milestone on February 4, 2026, by becoming the first sitting CM in India to personally argue a case before the Supreme Court. This bold step underscores her direct involvement in defending her state’s interests.
Unprecedented Court Appearance
Dressed in a simple white saree and black shawl—eschewing the traditional lawyer’s gown—Banerjee appeared before a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant. She arrived with her legal team but filed an interlocutory application to plead the matter herself. The hearing focused on her challenge to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal.
Core Issues in the SIR Case
A trained lawyer from Jogesh Chandra Choudhury College of Law in Kolkata—whose last practice was around 2003—Banerjee argued that the SIR process risks harming voters. She highlighted how it allows mass deletions through Form-7 without proper checks, potentially disenfranchising legitimate electors ahead of the 2026 assembly polls.
Her key demands included:
- Retaining the existing 2025 electoral rolls for upcoming elections.
- Mandating online publication of names targeted for deletion.
- Requiring physical presence for anyone filing Form-7 objections.
Banerjee emphasized “ground realities” in Bengal, urging the court to protect ordinary citizens’ voting rights.
Why It Matters
This rare fusion of political leadership and legal advocacy has captured national attention. No other incumbent chief minister had previously donned the advocate’s role in the apex court, marking a historic blend of governance and jurisprudence. Banerjee’s move signals her hands-on approach to pressing issues like electoral integrity, especially amid political tensions in the state.
The Supreme Court hearing drew live coverage and social media buzz, with many hailing it as a democratic assertion. As proceedings continue, it could influence how states contest ECI decisions.
