BJP Leader's Controversial Claim on Deleted Bengal Voters
In a fiery campaign speech in Kharagpur, former West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh has sparked a major political controversy by labeling all 90.8 lakh individuals whose names have been removed from the state's electoral rolls as "anti-nationals". The statement, made late Thursday during campaigning in the Talbagicha area, directly challenges the ruling Trinamool Congress to replicate its electoral successes without what Ghosh termed as "fake voters".
"The Bell is Tolling": Ghosh's Campaign Rhetoric
Addressing supporters in Talbagicha, a Hindu refugee colony established in the 1950s, Ghosh declared that "the bell is tolling" for the Mamata Banerjee-led administration. He specifically targeted what he called the "Pishi-Bhaipo duo" – referring to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, MP Abhishek Banerjee – claiming they are "changing their tune" as electoral scrutiny intensifies.
The BJP's Kharagpur Town candidate asserted that the Election Commission has effectively "pumped out all the extra water" from the voter lists through rigorous verification processes. "While 90 lakh are gone, another 10-12-15 lakh will follow," Ghosh predicted, alleging that these purported fake voters were instrumental in securing three consecutive terms for Mamata Banerjee as Chief Minister and previously enabled the CPM's 34-year rule in the state.
Local Impact and Political Backlash
The controversy has particular resonance in Kharagpur Town constituency, where more than 57,000 out of 2.3 lakh voters have seen their names deleted following multiple rounds of scrutiny, including post-SIR judicial adjudication. This represents a significant portion of the constituency's electorate and has become a focal point in the ongoing electoral battle.
Ghosh's inflammatory remarks came within 24 hours of him acknowledging that some genuine voters had been unfairly removed during the supplementary intensive revision exercise. This admission occurred when a group of women confronted him on the campaign trail, demanding explanations for why their names had been struck from the voter lists.
Opposition Reaction and Electoral Implications
Trinamool Congress candidate Pradeep Sarkar, Ghosh's direct electoral opponent, swiftly capitalized on the controversial statement. Sarkar retorted: "Dilipbabu's statement reveals the true character of BJP. Is he calling the 57 lakh Hindus excluded from the list traitors and 'anti-nationals'?" This response highlights how the issue has transcended mere administrative concerns about voter lists to touch upon sensitive questions of national loyalty and religious identity.
The exchange underscores the intensifying political warfare in West Bengal as electoral preparations reach their peak. With both major parties trading serious allegations about the integrity of the voter registration process, the stage is set for a contentious electoral battle where the very legitimacy of the electoral roll has become a central campaign issue.
