Kolkata, 08 April (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday questioned the decision to freeze the voters’ list, asking why it was finalised while cases of several voters were still pending before tribunals.

Addressing a poll rally in Serampore, Banerjee said that around 26 lakh names had been deleted from nearly 60 lakh “under consideration” voters in the state. She raised concerns over whether those who might get relief from tribunals before polling would be allowed to vote, noting that there is no clarity on the issue.

She said the Supreme Court had termed the matter “important” but is yet to give a final ruling. Meanwhile, the voters’ list for 152 seats in the first phase was frozen on the last date of filing nominations, she added, calling the move “worrying”.

“After the Supreme Court allowed affected persons to approach tribunals, how was the voters’ list frozen before the process was completed? It is beyond my understanding,” she said.

Referring to the issue, state government counsel Kalyan Banerjee said the tribunal infrastructure has not yet been fully set up by the Election Commission, due to which it has not become fully functional.

Banerjee also targeted the Election Commission and the BJP, asserting that she would fight the issue till the end. She remarked that at times she feels like returning to legal practice but cannot do so due to her responsibilities as chief minister.

She further alleged that there were plans to use central forces to restrict voters in rural areas, calling it against the democratic process.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey