West Bengal's political landscape is buzzing as the state progresses into the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This crucial exercise has already seen a significant reduction of 58.1 lakh names from a preliminary voter list of 7.6 crore. In response to this substantial revision, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to galvanize her party's grassroots machinery.
Mamata's Mobilization Plan for Booth Agents
The Chief Minister is scheduled to address Trinamool Congress (TMC) Booth Level Agents (BLAs) at Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium next Monday. These agents are the critical frontline workers for political parties during the SIR process, tasked with assisting in fresh voter applications and representing citizens during hearings. A senior TMC leader emphasized the CM's directive, stating her goal is to ensure that not a single genuine voter is left out of the democratic process. She has instructed workers to ensure BLAs reach every voter who might require assistance.
This mobilization follows a meeting Banerjee held just a day prior with the BLAs of the Bhowanipore assembly segment, which she represents. In that constituency alone, the SIR has led to the deletion of 44,787 electors. During the meeting, she specifically asked the agents to personally reverify lists concerning "absentee" and "dead" voters to prevent any wrongful exclusion.
Abhishek Banerjee Clarifies SIR Process, Attacks BJP Narrative
Meanwhile, TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee provided a detailed clarification on the SIR while launching a sharp political offensive against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking to reporters at Kolkata airport, he reminded everyone that the recently published electoral roll is only a draft. He highlighted that there is a 45-day window for claims and objections, with the final roll slated for publication on February 14.
"There is a 1.5% to 2% deletion every time the annual Special Summary Revision (SSR) is conducted," Abhishek stated. "The 24 lakh names identified as 'dead' voters roughly amount to merely 2% of the population. Cases where voters could not be mapped will be raised during the claims and objections period, followed by hearings. Only then will a final decision be made on whether names stay or are removed."
Calling for an Apology and Issuing a Challenge
Abhishek Banerjee directly attacked the BJP's longstanding narrative about infiltration and Rohingya presence in Bengal. He asserted that the Election Commission's draft roll has effectively rejected claims made by BJP leaders who labeled Bengal a hub for infiltrators and alleged that 1 to 1.5 crore Rohingyas were staying in the state.
"The real motive of the BJP to conduct SIR in Bengal has completely failed," he declared. "Now, those who insulted Bengal by calling the state a breeding ground for Bangladeshis should publicly apologize to the people of Bengal."
Issuing a direct dare to the opposition, Abhishek challenged: "If you have courage, write a letter to the Election Commission and ask it to make public the list of voters whose names have been deleted. Names deleted in border areas should also be published. You have misled people, and people will give an answer." He further questioned the BJP's focus on Bengal by pointing to security issues elsewhere, asking how terrorists were entering the national capital and crossing borders in places like Pahalgam if infiltration was solely a Bengal issue.
The stage is now set for a fierce political battle over the electoral roll in West Bengal, with the TMC leadership mobilizing its cadres to safeguard voter registrations while countering the BJP's allegations head-on.
