Jalpaiguri (WB), Mar 25 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a blistering attack on the BJP, the Centre and the Election Commission on Wednesday, accusing them of undermining democracy through the SIR and warning that the next step could be attempts to strip people of citizenship through the NRC.
Launching her campaign for the upcoming assembly polls from the politically crucial north Bengal, a region where the BJP has built a formidable base since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC supremo alleged that constitutional institutions were being misused to “snatch away people’s voting rights”.
Addressing back-to-back rallies in Maynaguri and the Thakurnagar area of Jalpaiguri district, Banerjee claimed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was creating fear among voters.
“The EC, BJP and the Centre are not following the Constitution. They are trying to snatch voting rights,” she said.
Drawing a sharp contrast with the hour of India’s Independence, Banerjee alleged that the publication of the supplementary electoral rolls had triggered what she called a “midnight rampage”.
“We got Independence at midnight, and we feel proud of it. But today, they have forgotten Independence. They are not following the Constitution or democracy. They are snatching away people’s voting rights,” she said.
“Today, they are snatching away voting rights; tomorrow, they will snatch away citizenship by bringing the NRC,” the chief minister said.
She alleged that several communities, including Rajbanshis and women, were being affected by the revision of electoral rolls.
“Rajbanshi names have been removed through SIR. Women’s names are also being removed. Removing the name of one woman means removing the name of the entire womenfolk,” she said, seeking to consolidate women voters who form a key support base for the ruling TMC.
“Due to SIR, 220 people have died in Bengal since November. The BJP must remember that they will have to answer for it,” she said. However, there was no official data or confirmation of deaths during the exercise to revise the electoral rolls.
Accusing the BJP of branding long-time residents as foreigners, Banerjee said, “First, you prove whether you are a citizen of this country, then challenge the people.
Without naming Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, she asked the crowd to bid farewell to “this gentleman here and the two gentlemen in Delhi”.
In Thakurnagar, she alleged irregularities in the SIR process, claiming that even her own name had appeared as “under adjudication”.
“Do you know that last night everyone’s name was put under adjudication? It was as if all the people of Bengal suddenly disappeared. Then they said it was a ‘technical fault’.
“When I checked, I saw that even my name was under adjudication. Can you imagine the situation? There is nothing they cannot do,” the TMC supremo said.
The Election Commission is examining the cause of a technical glitch that briefly showed all voters in West Bengal as “under adjudication”.
At the rallies, Banerjee mixed sharp political attacks with welfare messaging to consolidate her party’s core voter base.
“If you want tea gardens to remain open, vote for the TMC,” she said, while highlighting welfare schemes such as Lakshmir Bhandar, Swasthya Sathi and free ration. “We do not merely make promises, we implement them.
The chief minister also said the state government had arranged crop insurance for potato farmers who suffered losses due to unseasonal rains in Jalpaiguri and neighbouring districts.
Taking a swipe at the BJP, Banerjee said voters should ask the party about its pledge of depositing Rs 15 lakh in every citizen’s bank account. “They said they would create two crore jobs every year. But we have already given two crore jobs and reduced unemployment in the state,” she claimed.
Banerjee also warned against alleged attempts to divide the state by carving out a separate entity, combining districts from north Bengal and Bihar. “Will you once again subjugate Bengal? I will never allow it,” she said.
The chief minister also alleged that large sums of money were being circulated to influence voters.
She also attacked the BJP over rising fuel prices and alleged restrictions on LPG cylinder bookings. “The price of petrol is rising. Now they say that after booking a gas cylinder, it may take 35 days. How will people cook?” she asked.
Banerjee alleged that government officers had been transferred and replaced with those “aligned with the BJP” to weaken her administration. “They think they can trouble me, but they do not know that a wounded tiger is more dangerous,” she said.
“They have taken everything away from me. Now I have only one thing — the people,” she said.
The chief minister told her party candidates to be cautious while filing nominations and take lawyers along, claiming that nominations had been cancelled in BJP-ruled Assam. “I do not have faith in the BJP and the poll panel. Our candidates should take lawyers with them and check every document carefully,” she said.
In a message for women voters, Banerjee urged them to resist any attempt to intimidate voters. “Mothers and sisters should come forward if anyone tries to capture booths,” she said.
Banerjee also accused the BJP of trying to dictate food habits and language. “In some states, people are beaten for eating fish or meat. They are even attacked for speaking Bengali. We respect every religion, language and community,” she said.
The TMC chief also warned that those working with the BJP would have to face political consequences. “After the elections, those working with the BJP will have to paste a declaration saying they do not support the BJP.
She said north Bengal had once been neglected, but her government had prioritised development in the region. “I come here almost every month. Perhaps people even get tired of seeing me so often,” she quipped. PTI PNT NSD
Category: Breaking News
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