Kolkata, 01 April (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday accused the Indian National Congress of not supporting the Trinamool Congress’ agitation against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls at both the state and national levels.

The Chief Minister also alleged that the Congress failed to treat the issue with seriousness and did not stand by voters during the revision process.

Addressing an election rally at Nabagram in Murshidabad district, Banerjee said she had repeatedly urged the Congress to launch a joint movement against the SIR exercise and approach the Election Commission of India together, but her appeals were not accepted.

“When the revision work was underway, they did not express concern for the people. At that time, only booth-level workers of the All India Trinamool Congress stood by the voters,” she said.

Banerjee also accused the Election Commission of specifically targeting her Assembly constituency, Bhabanipur in South Kolkata. She claimed that an unusually large number of voters had been deleted from the electoral rolls there.

“Despite this, I will contest the election and I will ultimately win,” she asserted.

According to the Chief Minister, minority, tribal and backward class voters were targeted during the revision exercise. She added that the names of several Hindu voters were also removed from the rolls.

Without naming them directly, Banerjee also took an indirect swipe at the Amjanata Unnayan Party founded by former Trinamool MLA Humayun Kabir and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen led by Asaduddin Owaisi. Both parties are contesting jointly, particularly in minority-dominated constituencies.

“Some people will try to divide votes by making communal statements. Do not allow even a single vote to be divided. This is part of the strategy of the Bharatiya Janata Party. They try to influence some people with money and distribute cash before elections,” she alleged.

Banerjee also expressed apprehension that some Trinamool Congress leaders could be arrested just before polling. “Perhaps that is why the Election Commission has carried out changes in the state police administration from top to bottom. Despite this, the Trinamool Congress will not bow down. We know how to fight,” she said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh