18
SIR Protest: TMC has termed the SIR exercise as a BJP-supported ploy to bring NRC through the backdoor.
SIR Protest: The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal will hold a massive rally in Kolkata in the first or second week of November. This rally is being organized in protest against the proposed ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR) of the voter list in the state. According to party sources, TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee are expected to attend the rally. TMC has described the SIR exercise as a “BJP-backed ploy to bring NRC through the backdoor”. Senior TMC leader said that a rally is planned after Kali Puja and Bhai Dooj, for which Shaheed Minar ground is being considered as a possible place. The party is starting a widespread movement on this issue through this rally. After this protest, TMC leaders have threatened to protest in Delhi also.
Warning of protest till Delhi
This aggressive stance of TMC comes amid preparations by the Election Commission (EC) to launch the proposed special intensive revision of voter lists before the 2026 assembly elections. In September, an Election Commission team led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar visited the state to review preparations and conduct training for district election officials. He said that even before any notification is issued, how are BJP leaders claiming that lakhs of names will be removed? Are they writing the script of SIR from Delhi? TMC leaders have announced that the party will make this issue one of its main political issues in the coming months. TMC has accused BJP of trying to manipulate the voter list before the state elections. TMC leaders have threatened to protest in Delhi also.
BJP hit back
Several ministers and MLAs have warned that West Bengal will boil over if the name of even a single genuine voter is removed during the vetting process. However, the BJP hit back, saying TMC’s opposition stems from the fear that the exercise would expose fake voters and infiltrators allegedly enrolled under the ruling party’s watch. State BJP spokesperson Keya Ghosh said the chief minister was opposing regular voter list revision because she wanted to protect Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators who have found a place in the voter list. The political temperature is increasing rapidly in Bengal. TMC’s proposed November rally is expected to create a pre-poll confrontation between the state’s ruling party and the BJP-led Centre.
Also read: Election Commission strict before voting in Bihar, directed ED to stop cash and liquor
