Speaking at a press conference at the state secretariat, Banerjee said, “How can Election Commission officials summon government officers when election dates haven’t even been announced?” She alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process was being misused for political purposes, claiming that the BJP was “playing with fire” in the name of ensuring fair elections.
“Any attempt to tamper with the voter list would be nothing short of a betrayal of democracy,” Banerjee said.
‘SIR is a cover for NRC-like exercise,’ claims Mamata
Banerjee asserted that the ongoing SIR was not merely a voter list verification exercise but a cover for implementing an NRC-style process in West Bengal. She accused Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal of overseeing the process despite facing corruption allegations.
Her statement came a day after Union Minister Shantanu Thakur claimed that nearly 1.5 crore voters could be deleted from the rolls after the SIR. Reacting sharply, Mamata said, “How can anyone make such claims before the process has even begun? This only proves that the SIR is politically motivated.”
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has repeatedly alleged that the SIR exercise is part of a BJP conspiracy to disenfranchise minorities and the poor ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Mamata’s Sharp Attack on Amit Shah
A day earlier, Mamata Banerjee had launched a fresh attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling him “an acting Prime Minister” and warning Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to trust him too much.
She compared Shah to Mir Jafar, the infamous traitor of Bengal’s history, saying, “Just as Mir Jafar betrayed Siraj-ud-Daulah, one day Shah will betray Modi.” The Chief Minister made this remark while addressing the recent violence during Durga Puja immersions in Cuttack, Odisha, and the SIR exercise in Bihar.
Banerjee accused the BJP and Bajrang Dal of instigating communal tensions. “They are harming the country. I’ve seen many governments, but never one as arrogant and dictatorial as this. They should remember — power doesn’t last forever,” she said. “How can such an important process like SIR be completed in just 15 days?”
Historical Context: Who Was Mir Jafar?
Mir Jafar, once the commander-in-chief of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah of Bengal, is remembered as a symbol of betrayal in Indian history. In the Battle of Plassey (1757), he colluded with the British East India Company, leading to Siraj’s defeat and the beginning of British rule in India. In return, the British installed Mir Jafar as the Nawab of Bengal.
Retort to PM Modi on Mirik Bridge
Responding to Prime Minister Modi’s criticism following the Mirik bridge accident, Mamata said, “Bengal is not Gujarat. In 2022, more than 130 people died when the Morbi bridge collapsed there.”
She added that the state government had moved quickly to provide relief and rehabilitation — distributing over 500 relief kits containing essentials such as rice, lentils, and blankets. About 1,000 stranded tourists have been safely evacuated using 45 buses.
Banerjee announced that a temporary bridge in Mirik would be ready within 15 days, while a new permanent structure would be completed before the next monsoon. She also plans to revisit flood-affected areas next week to monitor relief operations personally.
The Chief Minister accused the Centre of withholding disaster relief funds, saying, “The BJP can raise money for elections but not to help people in crisis.” Continuous rains and landslides in North Bengal have so far claimed 32 lives, with several others still missing.
