With the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list underway in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday — the last day for submitting the enumeration form — publicly revealed that she has not yet filled out the form mandated by the Election Commission.
Speaking at a rally in Krishnanagar, Nadia, the Chief Minister explained her stance, saying, “I have not filled the SIR form. I was a Central Minister three times, an MP seven times, and with your blessings, Chief Minister three times. Do I still need to prove whether I am a citizen?” She accused the BJP and the Election Commission of attempting to question her identity, adding, “Do I have to prove it to those who insult Tagore, Bankim Chandra, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Netaji, Matangini Hazra, and Khudiram Bose?”
While clarifying that the Trinamool Congress is not opposed to the SIR process itself, Mamata criticised what she described as an unnecessary rush to complete the entire revision within two months.
“Why such hurry? Why so hungry?” she asked, alleging political motives behind the accelerated timeline.
The Chief Minister reiterated her accusation that the BJP and the Election Commission are conspiring to remove nearly 1.5 crore voter names in Bengal in the name of the Special Summary Revision (SSR). She questioned why similar exercises were not being conducted in states ruled by the BJP, particularly Assam.
Addressing the crowd, she urged citizens — especially women — to resist any unfair deletion of names.
“If your names are removed, will you fight back?” she asked. The crowd responded with a resounding “yes,” to which she replied, “The women will lead from the front. Let Bengal see whose strength is greater—theirs or ours.”
Mamata accused the Centre of using agencies and “Delhi Police” to intimidate the people of Bengal. “They want to seize Bengal by force. They think they can repeat what they did in Bihar. But we won’t allow it,” she said.
The Chief Minister launched a direct attack on the Election Commission, questioning its conduct before any election had even been announced.
“Why are you threatening District Magistrates? Do you want to turn people into bonded labourers?” she asked.
In a strong warning, she said, “Remember, if you strike, there will be a counter-attack. A wounded tiger is more dangerous than a healthy one.”
Mamata also accused the BJP’s IT cell of attempting to manipulate the voter list. “They want the IT cell to prepare the list and conduct elections based on that. This will not happen in Bengal — not even with help from agencies.”
She warned that the “excessive interference” of central forces and the Commission posed a risk to democracy.
“People elect the government — not the Election Commission,” she said.
Without naming him, Mamata also criticised suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir, who recently announced plans to build a Babri-style mosque in Murshidabad. She accused political opponents of attempting to divide votes along religious and caste lines, calling such individuals “traitors.”
She further alleged discrimination by the central government, claiming that funds owed to Bengal were being withheld.
“No matter how much good work we do, they stop the funds. They insult our icons. They are anti-Bengal,” she said.
Reassuring the public, the Chief Minister reiterated that there would be no NRC and no detention camps in Bengal. “I have not come here to ask for votes. No one will be driven out. Everyone will be protected with dignity,” she said.
Urging citizens to participate in Election Commission hearings, she added that the state government would set up “May I Help You” camps to provide all necessary assistance. “Don’t be afraid. If you need help, we are here.”
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