Banerjee alleged that the SIR process was being misused to selectively delete names of eligible voters and intimidate citizens. Dressed in black and accompanied by family members of individuals she said were affected by the revision exercise, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief claimed the Commission was acting under political pressure.
“In the name of SIR, a super emergency is being imposed in Bengal. Democracy is being throttled using the Election Commission,” Banerjee said, warning that constitutional authorities must remain accountable. Without naming the Chief Election Commissioner, she remarked, “Chairs are not permanent. People are permanent.”
Banerjee alleged that she had written six letters to the Election Commission seeking clarity and intervention but received no response. She further claimed that Supreme Court directives relating to electoral processes were being ignored. According to her, the delegation had travelled to Delhi to seek redress but instead faced harassment from the Delhi Police.
Questioning the timing of the SIR exercise, Banerjee said a process that usually spans nearly two years was being rushed through in just two months, months before elections. She alleged misuse of technology, including artificial intelligence, and claimed that “living voters are being declared dead” due to so-called logical discrepancies, resulting in wrongful deletions from voter lists.
The Chief Minister also raised objections to what she described as an unlawful intrusion at Bengal House, alleging that Delhi Police conducted searches inside the premises under the pretext of inspection. “This is our building. Bengalis are staying here. They had no right to search rooms,” she said.
Extending her criticism beyond the SIR issue, Banerjee alleged that Bengalis across the country were being harassed on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals and questioned the Centre’s handling of border security. She accused the BJP of attempting to influence public perception by circulating misleading videos from Bangladesh and falsely linking them to unrest in Bengal.
Targeting the Centre, Banerjee said, “Delhi’s zamindars want to snatch voters’ rights,” asserting that her party would resist any attempt to undermine free and fair elections. She also criticised the Union Budget, claiming it offered no relief to ordinary citizens.
The Election Commission has yet to respond publicly to Banerjee’s allegations. With Assembly elections approaching, the controversy over electoral roll revisions is expected to intensify, adding to political friction between the state government and the Centre.
.jpg)
