In a dramatic political spectacle aimed at exposing alleged irregularities in the draft voter list of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, Trinamool Congress (TMC) All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday launched a blistering attack on the Election Commission and the Centre from a public meeting in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas. At the heart of his protest was an extraordinary visual— three living voters, allegedly declared “dead” in the draft Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter list, walking up a specially constructed ramp onto the stage.
Midway through his speech, Abhishek drew attention to the ramp and said it had been built with a purpose. “Many are wondering why this ramp has been constructed. Today, three ‘ghosts’ will walk on this ramp. Those whom the Election Commission has declared dead are standing here today— alive and well,” he declared, triggering loud applause from the crowd.
Moments later, Monirul Islam Molla, Harekrishna Giri, and Maya Das appeared on stage. Pointing towards them, Abhishek asked, “Do they look dead? You can see them— breathing, alive. But apparently, the Election Commission cannot see them.” He said two of the individuals were from Metiabruz, while one hailed from Kakdwip, adding that their names had been struck off the voter list by falsely declaring them deceased. “This is how the names of living citizens are being erased from democracy,” he said, asserting that the ramp symbolised the ‘dead’ being forced to prove they are alive.
Escalating his attack, Abhishek accused the Centre and the Election Commission of acting in tandem to disenfranchise voters. “We will not allow a single name to be removed,” he said firmly. “In the coming days, Trinamool will go to Delhi. Be prepared — the ‘Vanishing Kumars’, Gyanesh Kumar, Amit Shah — everyone will be swept away by a tidal wave of votes.”
The TMC leader also announced an aggressive organisational push ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, stating that he would hold 26 public meetings across the state over the next 19 days. “No matter how many attacks you launch, Bengal will win again. Today, we have made a strong and confident beginning,” he said.
South 24 Parganas, a long-standing Trinamool stronghold, was deliberately chosen as the launchpad of the campaign. Explaining his decision, Abhishek said, “When one begins an auspicious journey, one seeks the blessings of one’s parents. Kalighat is my birthplace, South 24 Parganas is my workplace. The political change during the Left Front era also began here. That is why the campaign for 2026 starts from this soil.”
Addressing party workers, he framed the upcoming election as an existential battle. “This is not just another election—it is a fight for survival,” Abhishek said, adding, “If Trinamool wins, people will get two square meals a day. If the BJP comes to power, there will be attacks on religion.”
Taking a sharp dig at the BJP’s long-standing employment promises, Abhishek recalled the party’s 2014 slogan of creating two crore jobs annually. “They promised two crore jobs every year. How many jobs have they given in 11 years?” he asked. “Forget Bengal—if they can show that even 5,000 jobs were created in a single Assembly constituency in Gujarat or Uttar Pradesh, I will quit politics.”
Referring to a recent incident in which a patty vendor was allegedly assaulted during a Gita recitation event, Abhishek questioned the Centre’s silence. “A patty vendor is beaten up— won’t Bengal respond? Will orders come from Delhi? Fifty-six lives have been lost during the SIR process in two months. Won’t the mothers of Bengal raise their voices?” he asked.
Answering his own questions, Abhishek launched into a final, forceful rebuttal of the BJP. “As long as Mamata Banerjee is here, anyone who dares to look at Bengal with ill intent will face the same fate as in 2021 and 2024,” he said. Exuding confidence, he told party workers that TMC would win at least one more seat than last time and issued a clear target for the district: “This time, South 24 Parganas must deliver all 31 seats.”
Also read: Mamata claps back at Shah, rejects claims against BSF land
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