West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of deliberately creating an atmosphere of unrest in the state under the guise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. She alleged that the exercise was being used as part of a larger conspiracy to destabilise Bengal, with the backing of the central government.
Speaking before leaving for a tour of North Bengal, Mamata claimed that the BJP was aware that it could not win elections in the state through democratic means and was therefore attempting to incite tension and unrest in the name of voter list verification.
The Chief Minister questioned recent changes in the acceptance of documents during the revision process. She said that Madhyamik (secondary school) admit cards, which were earlier accepted as proof of date of birth, were now being rejected without explanation. She also alleged that Aadhaar cards were not being accepted despite Supreme Court directions.
Mamata further claimed that notices had been sent to nearly 90 lakh people belonging to a particular community in Malda district, and names of tribal voters were being removed from electoral rolls in several districts.
Raising concerns over the scale of the exercise, she said, “They are not sparing anyone— Amartya Sen, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Joy Goswami or TMC MP Dev. If notices are being sent to them, one can imagine the plight of ordinary people.” She also alleged that domicile certificates, which are accepted across the country, were being rejected only in Bengal.
Criticising the Election Commission and the Union Home Ministry, the Chief Minister remarked that if the process continued in this manner, hardly any voters would be left on the rolls. She alleged that no other state was facing similar obstacles and that Bengal was being singled out.
Mamata asserted that she has always stood by the people and would continue to do so, adding that the fight to protect democracy would be intensified. She urged the Election Commission to uphold the dignity, tradition and impartiality of its office to earn public trust.
Appealing to voters who have received notices, the Chief Minister asked them to submit the required forms and place their faith in the judiciary.
Referring to recent incidents involving assault on migrant workers, Mamata said tension had prevailed in Beldanga since morning following the killing of a migrant worker in another state. She also mentioned another similar incident reported from Bihar. Alleging persecution of migrant workers under “double-engine governments”, she claimed that workers from Bengal were being targeted, removed from voter lists and subjected to violence.
“We are taking action in every case of atrocities against migrant workers. Those responsible will be arrested,” she said, alleging BJP involvement and questioning how the party could expect votes from Bengal under such circumstances.
In a sharp political remark, Mamata also targeted her critics on social media, saying she was unconcerned about personal attacks or threats. “I care about the people. As long as I live, I will fight and live,” she said.
The Chief Minister is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the Mahakal Temple in Siliguri later on Friday and attend a programme at the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench on Saturday, after which she is expected to return to Kolkata.
Also read: I-PAC raids: ED accuses Mamata of ‘direct act of theft’ in SC
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