Mamata Banerjee Applauds Supreme Court Verdict on Voter List Integrity
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed profound gratitude on Wednesday following a pivotal Supreme Court order concerning the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative. Speaking at an election rally in Nanoor, Birbhum district, Banerjee hailed the judicial decision as a crucial safeguard against what she described as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) attempts to inflate the state's electoral rolls with non-residents.
Legal Victory and Voter List Corrections
"Today, I am immensely grateful. I personally pursued a legal case addressing the selective deletion of approximately 1.2 crore names from the voter lists," Banerjee declared. "My direct intervention at the Supreme Court has yielded significant results: 22 lakh individuals have been rightfully retained in the electoral registry, while 18 lakh have been lawfully removed."
The Chief Minister urged those who believe they were wrongfully excluded to file appeals with the relevant tribunals, assuring that her administration would cover all associated legal expenses. She emphasized her satisfaction with the court's ruling, which she asserted explicitly prohibits the BJP from incorporating external voters into Bengal's electoral framework.
Allegations of Electoral Manipulation
Banerjee accused the BJP of orchestrating a scheme to transport individuals by train from other states, particularly Bihar, to vote in West Bengal. "These individuals have already cast their ballots in Bihar. Now, they are submitting forms to vote again in Bengal. This tactic aims to disenfranchise genuine voters," she warned.
She further alleged that in constituencies like Bhowanipore, systematic deletions targeted voters from specific communities, following directives from Delhi. At a subsequent rally in Jangipur, Murshidabad, Banerjee turned her criticism toward the Congress party, questioning its inaction during the voter list purges. "Was Congress asleep while these deletions occurred? I repeatedly proposed joint appeals to the Election Commission, but they refused to participate," she stated.
Appeals for Communal Harmony and Peace
Addressing recent Ram Navami clashes in Jangipur, Banerjee appealed for communal tranquility, cautioning against forces seeking to polarize the electorate. "I am confident that you will uphold peace. Some entities will employ divisive rhetoric to fragment votes. Do not allow even a single vote to be split along communal lines," she implored the assembly.
Asserting that the BJP disrespects all religions, Banerjee contrasted Bengal's peaceful heritage with what she termed the party's provocative actions. "They claim violence plagues Bengal, but in truth, Bengal is a bastion of peace, unity, and culture. During Ram Navami processions in Suri, BJP supporters brandished weapons. We celebrate the festival too, but we never incite riots," she remarked.
Banerjee underscored that religion should unite, not divide, and warned that riots detrimentally affect all communities. "This is BJP's strategy. If they offer money for votes, remind them they have stripped you of your voting rights. Do not succumb to propaganda. Hindus and Muslims must protect one another," she advocated.
Accusations of Technological Misuse and Border Negligence
The Chief Minister alleged that the BJP, in collusion with the Election Commission, utilized artificial intelligence to unlawfully delete voters. "It is time to thwart their plans. They insult you by demanding proof of citizenship. Does speaking Bengali render one an infiltrator? If infiltration has occurred, the central government is accountable, as they control the borders," she contended.
Women's Safety and Economic Criticisms
At a third rally in Burwan, Murshidabad, Banerjee addressed rumors of stringent security checks for women on polling day. "I have heard women will face thorough searches. If anyone dares to touch them inappropriately, they will receive a fitting response. Why are you so intimidated by women?" she challenged.
She also lambasted the central government for recent hikes in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and automotive fuel prices. "Yesterday, they raised gas prices by over Rs 200. After the elections, you may not receive gas at all. You might get kerosene for a month, then revert to primitive cooking methods," Banerjee predicted, highlighting economic burdens on households.
