Kolkata, 04 November (H.S.). Tensions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal escalated further on Tuesday, with Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee launching a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing a massive rally in central Kolkata, Banerjee alleged that the BJP-led Centre was using the SIR process to “intimidate ordinary citizens and deprive them of their democratic rights”.

He claimed that fear triggered by the ongoing revision had led to seven deaths in recent days, asserting that all the deceased were legitimate voters. Several family members of the victims were present at the event, he said.

Accusing the Prime Minister of imposing arbitrary decisions on the people, Banerjee remarked, “From demonetisation to demanding endless citizenship documents — Modi has continuously harassed the common and middle classes. We will not bow before the feudal lords of Delhi.”

Issuing a strong warning of intensified agitation, he stated that the large turnout achieved in just two days of preparation was proof that if TMC stages a protest in Delhi, it would be far more massive in scale.

The rally marched from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue on Red Road to Jorasanko Thakurbari, with thousands of party workers participating. TMC has branded the SIR as a form of “silent invisible rigging”, accusing the Election Commission of manipulating the process to target opposition voters.

The Election Commission, however, maintains that the SIR is a standard exercise aimed at ensuring a cleaner and more accurate electoral roll across the state.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh