Politics has heated up in West Bengal regarding the Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list before the assembly elections. On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi. After the meeting, Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission and the Chief Election Commissioner. Mamata Banerjee accused the Election Commission of working at the behest of BJP. He said the Chief Election Commissioner would also meet the same fate as Dhankhar (referring to former West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar). It is noteworthy that along with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, party MP Kalyan Banerjee and others were also present for the meeting at the Election Commission office.
Where BJP is in power, why not SIR in Assam?: Mamata Banerjee
After meeting the Election Commissioner, Mamata Banerjee asked, “Why is SIR being done just 3 months before the elections? Couldn’t they have given exemption to poll-bound states? The BJP government is in power in Assam, but no SIR is being done there.” Making serious allegations against the Election Commission, he said, “You are working at the behest of BJP. You are not adding votes, you are removing them.” Mamata Banerjee further said, “150 people have died. The Election Commission is responsible for these deaths. You have the power of BJP, we have the power of the people. We were treated badly. I have never seen such an arrogant Election Commission.” I can bring lakhs of people here and organize a parade: Mamata Banerjee
Speaking outside the Election Commission office in Delhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “They say whatever they have done is right. They have not allowed any outside cameramen to come inside. They are working at the behest of BJP… Names of around 2 crore people have been removed from the voter list. I can bring lakhs of people to Delhi and get them paraded in front of anyone…”
I have never seen such an arrogant Election Commissioner: Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee said, “I am very sad. I have been involved in Delhi politics for a very long time. I have been a 4-time minister and 7-time MP. I have never seen such an arrogant and dishonest Election Commissioner. I told him that I respect his chair because no chair is permanent for anyone. One day you have to go… Why is Bengal being targeted? Elections are a festival in a democracy, but you have removed the names of 98 lakh people and made them your own. Didn’t give a chance to defend…”
BJP says – Mamta is trying to spread unnecessary confusion on SIR issue.
Responding to Mamata Banerjee’s allegations on the Election Commission, Union Minister and BJP MP from West Bengal Sukanta Majumdar said, “Mamata Banerjee is again trying to do politics on the SIR issue and spread unnecessary confusion. The SIR process is going on in 11 states. So far only the draft list has been released.”