Kolkata, 09 April (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that more than 9 million names were removed from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to capture power in the state through such measures. She, however, asserted that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) would still emerge victorious in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Addressing a public rally at Minakhan in North 24 Parganas district, Banerjee said her party would move court to ensure that the names of the deleted voters are reinstated in the electoral rolls.

“You have deleted the names of over 9 million people to capture power in Bengal, but victory will be ours,” she said.

Describing the upcoming elections as a “fight for the survival of Bengal and the rights of its people”, the Chief Minister urged voters to remain vigilant and actively participate in the electoral process to safeguard their democratic rights.

Banerjee also alleged that Bengali-speaking people are being harassed in BJP-ruled states. She claimed that the Bengali language is being termed as foreign and those speaking it are being branded as infiltrators.

At another rally in Palta in the same district, she accused the BJP of paying Rs 500 to people to attend its political rallies. She also claimed that the BJP’s political decline would begin from August 2026, without elaborating further.

The Chief Minister further alleged that the BJP was attempting to bring in a Delimitation Bill to divide Bengal into three parts.

Without naming Union Home Minister Amit Shah, she referred to him as “Mota Bhai” and accused him of using central probe agencies to intimidate people.

Banerjee reiterated that the Trinamool Congress would continue its political and legal fight to protect voters’ rights and the integrity of the electoral process in the state.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh