Kolkata, 20 January (H.S.) :

Amid intensifying political confrontation over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, Indian Secular Front (ISF) MLA Naushad Siddiqui has now been summoned for a hearing. The notice to the Bhangar legislator has further fueled the controversy surrounding the SIR process, which has already triggered widespread protests and allegations of harassment across the state.

According to sources, Naushad Siddiqui has been asked to appear before the authorities on January 27 at the Jangipara Block Development Office. Election Commission officials indicated that the summon was issued due to alleged discrepancies in voter-related information. Siddiqui’s response and next course of action are now being keenly watched in the prevailing charged political atmosphere.

On the same day, the SIR hearing notice was also issued to Pradesh Congress General Secretary Ashutosh Chattopadhyay. He has been asked to appear for a hearing on Tuesday at Vidyabharati School. Chattopadhyay is a registered voter of the Rashbehari Assembly constituency and had contested the elections from the seat as a Congress candidate in 2016 and 2021. The exact reason for summoning him, however, has not yet been officially clarified.

Adding to the political stir, West Bengal Minister of State Tajmul Hossain has also received a notice for an SIR hearing. The development has sparked considerable attention, particularly after it emerged that the notice was linked to alleged discrepancies in voter records associated with his father’s name, according to Election Commission sources. The Harishchandrapur MLA from Malda district has openly accused the BJP of harassment and political conspiracy.

The SIR hearings are not limited to politicians alone. Several prominent personalities from various fields have also been summoned for document verification. Among them are former Indian cricketer and former Minister of State for Sports Laxmi Ratan Shukla, actor and MP Dev, and noted poet Joy Goswami. Reports also indicate that former Navy chiefs, sportspersons, and other public figures have received notices.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh