Mamata Banerjee Intensifies Attack on Election Commission Over Voter Roll Revision
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a fresh offensive against the Election Commission on Tuesday. She accused the poll body of removing genuine voters from electoral rolls through a controversial revision exercise.
Massive Voter Deletions Without Explanation
Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata, the Trinamool Congress chief revealed startling numbers. She stated the Election Commission already deleted 54 lakh names from West Bengal's draft electoral roll. The commission provided no explanation for these massive deletions, according to Banerjee.
"They have already deleted 54 lakh names," Banerjee declared. "But they did not give any explanation why they deleted so many names."
The chief minister warned about further deletions. She claimed the Election Commission now plans to remove another 1.30 crore voters. This new wave of deletions would happen under the label of "logical discrepancies."
"Afterthought" Concept of Logical Discrepancies
Banerjee criticized the introduction of "logical discrepancies" as a criterion for voter removal. She emphasized this term did not appear in the original Special Intensive Revision announcement. The TMC leader described it as an afterthought designed to increase voter deletions.
"This term was not mentioned when the SIR was announced," Banerjee pointed out. "Logical discrepancy was not part of the original SIR verification process."
The chief minister directly alleged a collaboration between the Election Commission and the BJP. She spoke about a "BJP-EC nexus" working against democratic principles in West Bengal.
Shocking Allegation About Army Officer
Banerjee made a particularly explosive claim during her press conference. She alleged an Army commandant stationed at Fort William in Kolkata was working as a BJP agent. According to the chief minister, this officer participates in the Special Intensive Revision exercise while favoring the opposition party.
"I have information that a commandant is working for the SIR at Fort William," Banerjee stated. "He is working as a BJP agent. I request him, please don't do this."
Fort William serves as the operational headquarters for the Indian Army's Eastern Command. The allegation about military involvement in electoral processes raised serious concerns about institutional neutrality.
Recovery of Pre-filled Objection Forms
The TMC presented additional evidence of alleged manipulation. Party officials claimed police recovered thousands of pre-filled objection forms from a BJP leader's vehicle. These Form 7 documents contained voter names and details already completed.
"A vehicle of BJP leaders carrying approximately 3,000-4,000 objection forms was caught," the TMC reported. "The forms had voter names and details pre-filled across the district."
Police detained two individuals from the vehicle while three others escaped. Authorities registered an FIR and launched an investigation at Khatra police station. The TMC described this incident as exposure of a "BJP leader's sinister plot to delete names of people."
Criticism of Election Commission Officials
Banerjee extended her criticism to micro-observers appointed by the Election Commission. She accused these officials of behaving like "slaves of the BJP" during hearing sessions.
The chief minister claimed these observers called electors "anti-nationals" and rejected valid documents. She questioned why such micro-observers were deployed only in West Bengal when other states like Bihar functioned without them.
Banerjee offered support to election officials facing pressure. She told DEOs, EROs, AEROs, and BLOs to work according to law without fear. The chief minister encouraged them to inform police about any irregularities.
Appeal to Matua Community and Legal Action
The West Bengal CM specifically addressed the Matua community during her conference. She urged community members not to fear the revision process. Banerjee advised them to visit BLO offices, ERO offices, or DM offices to verify their voter status.
"You people should snatch back your rights," she told the Matua community. "Ask them whether your name is in the list. If not, then ask why your name has been deleted."
Banerjee revealed she already sent five letters to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding the SIR exercise. She threatened to approach the Supreme Court if the Election Commission continues its current approach.
The chief minister framed the entire situation as an attack on democracy itself. "Is this not murder of democracy?" she asked during the press conference.
The BJP has not yet responded to these latest allegations from the West Bengal chief minister. The controversy continues to escalate as the state prepares for upcoming electoral processes.
