TMC Leader Abhishek Banerjee Assails BJP and Election Commission Over Voter List Controversy
In a fiery address on Friday, Abhishek Banerjee, the general secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), launched a scathing critique against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India. The focus of his attack was the alleged removal of names from voter lists in West Bengal, a move he described as deeply concerning and politically motivated.
Banerjee questioned the legitimacy of the deletions, highlighting that lakhs of voters had been excluded, which raises serious doubts about the electoral process. He particularly emphasized claims that many of those removed were labeled as illegal immigrants, a point he used to challenge the BJP's narrative.
"I reassure that when TMC wins, the names of everyone cut from the voter list will be added back," Banerjee declared. He further taunted the BJP and Election Commission, stating, "Or the BJP and Election Commission should say that the 90 lakh people whose names were cut were all Bangladeshis... According to their statements, the 63% names out of these were of Hindus, then they too must be Bangladeshi or Rohingya." This remark underscored his accusation of inconsistency and bias in the voter list purging.
Amit Shah Announces Uniform Civil Code and Border Security Measures
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made significant announcements regarding the BJP's plans for West Bengal. While releasing the party's manifesto, 'Sankalp Patra', for the 2026 assembly elections, Shah pledged to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state within six months if the BJP comes to power.
Addressing a program in Kolkata, Shah noted that several BJP-ruled states have already adopted the UCC to ensure a uniform set of laws for all citizens. "Several BJP-ruled states have implemented the Uniform Civil Code. Within six months, we will implement the UCC in Bengal and ensure that a single, uniform set of laws applies to all citizens across the state," he asserted, framing it as a step toward legal equality and governance reform.
In addition to the UCC, Shah outlined plans to tackle infiltration and cattle smuggling along West Bengal's borders. "We will not only seal Bengal's borders against infiltrators but also ensure that not a single cow is smuggled out of India through Bengal," he stated, aligning with the BJP's broader national security and cultural agendas.
Shah Highlights Public Discontent and Probes into Political Violence
Shah also claimed that there is growing public discontent in West Bengal, with citizens seeking political change. "The people are frightened and disillusioned. The people want change from the heart. Today we are working as the main opposition party in the Bengal Assembly," he said, positioning the BJP as a viable alternative to the ruling TMC.
To address issues of political violence, Shah announced the establishment of a commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge. This commission would investigate incidents of political violence in the state. Furthermore, he revealed plans to release three white papers focusing on corruption, political violence, and the restoration of law and order, aiming to provide transparency and accountability.
The upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal are scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting set for May 4. These developments set the stage for a highly contested political battle, with both parties outlining starkly different visions for the state's future.
