Trinamool Congress (TMC) All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday claimed that a “rebellion has begun within the BJP” over the Centre’s and the Election Commission’s actions in the name of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Abhishek warned that the TMC would take the movement to Delhi if even a single eligible voter’s name from Bengal was excluded from the electoral rolls.
Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent remark that those not born in India would not have the right to vote, Abhishek said, “Those who came to this side after being born on the other side of the border in Bengal (Bangladesh) will not be able to exercise their right to vote. Because of this comment, a rebellion has started within the BJP. The representatives of the Matua community in BJP are now asking — if they cannot convince BJP MP Shantanu Thakur, how will they convince the common people?”
The Matuas, a community of Hindu refugees largely belonging to the Scheduled Caste category from Bangladesh, shifted their political allegiance to the BJP during the electoral exercises since 2019. Abhishek also cautioned citizens against applying at CAA camps set up by BJP activists, alleging that doing so could have dire consequences similar to those in Assam.
“If anyone goes to their CAA camp and applies, their condition will be like that of the 12 lakh Hindus in Assam. They will take everyone to detention camps,” he claimed. The TMC leader further accused the Centre and the Election Commission of orchestrating a “big conspiracy” before Booth Level Officers (BLOs) begin door-to-door visits on Tuesday.
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Citing the case of Sonali Khatun, Abhishek said, “She was sent to Bangladesh on suspicion of being a Bangladeshi, even though her parents’ names are in the 2002 voter list. Despite a court order, she has not been brought back. Six people have already died in Bengal due to panic over such actions.”
Abhishek alleged that the SIR process was being used to create fear and confusion. “Not having a name in the SIR means your name will be added through the CAA — that’s BJP’s propaganda. But Assam has shown what happens when people register under it — they lose their citizenship. The same conspiracy is being carried out in Bengal,” he said.
Addressing Booth Level Officers, Abhishek assured them of protection and support while carrying out their duties. “If they face any problem anywhere, they should inform the commission and district administration. No matter how much BJP conspires, they won’t be able to drive away a single eligible voter from Bengal if the BLOs stand firm,” he said.
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In a political development, former Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee and his close aide Baishakhi Banerjee officially rejoined the TMC. Abhishek welcomed them back, saying they would “actively work for the party” in the coming days.
TMC has announced a mass procession in Kolkata on Tuesday in protest against what it calls a “conspiracy in the name of SIR”. Party sources said participants from North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, and all 144 wards of Kolkata will join the march. However, people from distant districts have been asked not to travel for the event.
Abhishek reiterated that the TMC’s fight was to “protect the rights of Bengal’s voters” and warned that the movement would intensify if the Centre did not step back from its alleged agenda.
Also Read: After Bihar, SIR likely to begin in West Bengal from Nov 1
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