Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday intensified the attack on BJP over the exclusion of nearly 91 lakh names from West Bengal’s voter list, calling on people to 'take revenge through the EVMs' during a rally in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas district.
Addressing a gathering at Bongaon Stadium, Mamata alleged that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process had led to the arbitrary deletion of voters’ names, particularly in border districts like North 24 Parganas, which has recorded a considerable number of exclusions. The district, located along the India-Bangladesh border, has a significant population of the Matua community and Hindu refugees, making the issue politically sensitive.
“You must take revenge for being forced to stand in queues. You must take revenge for having your votes struck off. The BJP’s dirty games must be put to an end,” she said, urging voters to respond through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Mamata also allayed fears surrounding citizenship-related issues, reiterating her opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), and National Population Register (NPR). “We do not want NRC or CAA. We are all citizens of this country. Why should we have to prove our citizenship again?” she said, adding that elected governments derive their authority from the people’s votes.
In a sharp attack on the BJP, she accused the party of misleading voters during elections. “They distribute money during polls and then pick people’s pockets later,” she alleged.
Mamata then pointed towards her government’s development projects aimed at the Matua community, including the establishment of a university in Gaighata named after Harichand and Guruchand Thakur, the declaration of holidays on their birth anniversaries, and the creation of the Matua Academy. She also cited infrastructure projects in Bongaon, such as a new police district, a super-specialty hospital, a sub-divisional court, an ITI, and a polytechnic college.
Expanding her criticism to the national level, Mamata opposed the privatisation of public sector units, including railways, coal mines and Air India, and reiterated her stand against the Centre’s farm laws. She also took a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, warning that she would expose alleged irregularities if provoked further.
Arriving early at the rally venue due to concerns over inclement weather, Mamata spoke about her packed campaign schedule in the coming days. She urged voters to ensure victory for TMC candidates contesting from Bongaon North, Bongaon South and Gaighata constituencies.
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