Political Storm Erupts in Bengal Assembly Over Electoral Roll Revision
The West Bengal legislative assembly descended into a heated political confrontation on Thursday, centered on a proposed discussion regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Speaker Biman Banerjee firmly ruled out any debate on the contentious issue, emphasizing that the matter is currently pending before the Supreme Court of India and is therefore sub judice.
Trinamool's Push for Debate Meets Legal Hurdle
The ruling Trinamool Congress had formally sought a comprehensive discussion on the SIR process, arguing vehemently that it has resulted in widespread harassment of voters across the state in the lead-up to the crucial 2026 assembly elections. However, Speaker Banerjee maintained that the House's proceedings would strictly adhere to legal protocols, limiting discussions to the governor's address and other permissible agenda items.
Following the conclusion of the governor's address and just before State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya presented the vote-on-account, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shovandeb Chattopadhyay introduced a resolution demanding an immediate discussion on the SIR. This proposal received explicit backing from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, underscoring the government's strong stance on the issue.
Allegations of Voter Harassment and Electoral Commission Criticism
In a charged address, Minister Chattopadhyay leveled serious allegations, claiming that the SIR exercise had directly led to the harassment of countless voters. He went further, asserting that 107 individuals had tragically lost their lives due to anxiety and stress induced by the revision process. Chattopadhyay launched a scathing critique, accusing the Election Commission of India of having "turned into a commission of harassment," a remark that drew sharp reactions from the opposition benches.
Despite the impassioned plea, Speaker Banerjee remained steadfast, rejecting the resolution outright. He reiterated his position that since the SIR matter is actively under judicial consideration by the Supreme Court, the state assembly is legally barred from deliberating on it, a point of parliamentary procedure that sparked further controversy.
Opposition Accusations of Procedural Manipulation
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari launched a counterattack, accusing the state government of unilaterally altering the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) resolution at the last possible moment. "The BAC resolution was clearly conveyed to all members this morning, indicating a scheduled discussion on the SIR. We came fully prepared to engage on this critical issue. Now, it is being altered without proper consultation," Adhikari protested, demanding that the speaker formally present the official business list before the House for transparency.
Adding fuel to the fire, BJP Chief Whip Shankar Ghosh alleged that the state government was deliberately shielding infiltrators through its objections to the electoral roll revision. Ghosh also raised pointed questions about a reported 70% increase in the voter list, arguing that such a dramatic rise is statistically disproportionate and warrants rigorous scrutiny.
The session highlighted deep-seated political divisions and set the stage for continued legal and parliamentary battles over electoral integrity in West Bengal.
