Banerjee urged citizens not to panic, advising them to submit necessary documents at designated “May I Help You” booths. She said she would fill out her own form only after residents had completed theirs. The Chief Minister also alleged that around 40 people had died due to stress linked to SIR and that her government was providing compensation to affected families.

The TMC chief argued that the timing of the exercise—just months before Assembly elections in Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam—was deliberate. She accused the Centre of obstructing state governance, withholding funds, and spreading misinformation through alleged AI-generated content. She reiterated her stance against NRC and detention centres, declaring that “no one will be expelled from Bengal.”

Banerjee also sought to address concerns around ongoing Waqf property disputes, saying no new lands were being classified as Waqf and that only existing records were being digitised.

Her remarks came as the Election Commission continues SIR across 12 states and union territories, including West Bengal. The 103-day revision process, underway since October 28, involves correcting errors in the voter list and enrolling new voters. A special revision is also being conducted in Assam.

Banerjee’s criticism of the SIR process is part of a broader confrontation with the Election Commission. On November 25, she led an anti-SIR march and accused the poll body of functioning as the “BJP Commission.” She warned voters, particularly in Matua-dominated regions, against declaring themselves foreigners under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, claiming it could lead to their removal from electoral rolls.

The confrontation between the TMC and the Centre is expected to escalate as Bengal moves closer to the 2025 Assembly elections.