Mamata Banerjee Alleges Targeted Voter Deletions, BJP Rejects Claims
Row intensifies in West Bengal as TMC and BJP clash over removal of names during electoral roll revision
A major political row has broken out in West Bengal after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of deliberately targeting specific communities during the recent Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Addressing a rally in Chakdaha, a region with a significant Matua population, Banerjee claimed that the deletion of nearly 90 lakh names was not a routine exercise but a calculated move aimed at excluding certain groups. She alleged that Muslims, Matuas, Rajbanshis, and other minorities were unfairly affected.
Questioning the intent behind the exercise, she said it was discriminatory to grant citizenship to some while removing long-standing residents from voter lists. She also used strong language to suggest that certain communities were selectively identified and removed.
Banerjee said her government has taken legal steps to challenge what she described as wrongful deletions. She added that while around 32 lakh names have been restored, efforts are ongoing to ensure that all eligible voters are reinstated through legal channels, including appeals before tribunals.
According to her, districts with large minority populations such as Murshidabad, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, and South 24 Parganas saw significant deletions. She also pointed to high removal rates in Matua-dominated areas like Bagda, Haringhata, Gaighata, and Chakdaha.
She further alleged that even members of well-known religious and social organisations, including the Missionaries of Charity, Ramakrishna Mission, and Bharat Sevashram Sangha, were affected by the deletions.
Calling the upcoming elections crucial, Banerjee framed the issue as a fight to protect democratic rights, identity, and constitutional values. She urged voters to reject what she described as attempts to undermine democracy.
The BJP, however, strongly denied the allegations. Senior leader Suvendu Adhikari said the revision exercise was aimed at removing ineligible names from the voter list. He accused the TMC of trying to protect illegal immigrants and maintained that genuine voters could reapply through proper procedures.
Meanwhile, TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee raised separate concerns about unfulfilled promises made to the Rajbanshi community. Speaking at a rally, he criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for not delivering on assurances such as including the Rajbanshi language in the Eighth Schedule and forming a proposed Narayani Sena.
With elections approaching, the voter list revision has become a key political flashpoint in the state. While the TMC calls it targeted disenfranchisement, the BJP insists it is a necessary step to maintain clean and accurate electoral rolls.
