West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) expressing concern over alleged irregularities, procedural violations and administrative deficiencies during the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process in the state, reports PTI.
Calling the SIR “arbitrary” and “unplanned”, Banerjee called on the CEC to immediately address its shortcomings or suspend the process altogether. She also said the SIR has been compromised and is undermining the basic fabric of democracy as well as the spirit of the Constitution, according to her January 3 letter to the CEC.
Banerjee said the Election Commission must be held accountable for any illegal acts done under its watch during the SIR process in Bengal. She warned that if the exercise continues in its current form, it could lead to irreversible damage and widespread disenfranchisement of voters.
“If allowed to continue in its current form, SIR will cause irreparable damage, mass disenfranchisement of voters and attack democratic foundations,” Banerjee said in her letter to the CEC.
TT MP Abhishhek Five
Meanwhile, on Friday, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee launched his month-long ‘Abar Jitbe Bangla’ campaign from South 24 Parganas ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. The yatra is aimed at showcasing the achievements of the Mamata Banerjee government while taking on the BJP on multiple issues, an ANI report said. The campaign comes amid heightened political tension between the TMC and the BJP over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of state electoral rolls.
Addressing a rally in South 24 Parganas, Banerjee accused the BJP of defaming West Bengal by claiming the presence of “Bangladeshis and Rohingyas” in the state. He said that during a recent visit to New Delhi, the Chief Election Commissioner asked him about the removal of alleged Rohingya and Bangladeshi voters from the electoral rolls.
“These people (BJP) are defaming Bengal by saying it is full of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis. When I asked Gyanesh Kumar how many Bangladeshis and Rohingyas were removed from the electoral rolls, he started pointing fingers at me,” the TMC leader said.
Describing the BJP as “Bangla-birodhi” (anti-Bengal), Banerjee said the upcoming elections were not only about defeating the party but also about holding it accountable for repeatedly defaming the state. He added that while he went to Delhi this time, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will make the next visit.
