Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee has alleged that two individuals died due to panic triggered by the recent publication of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter list in West Bengal. During a press interaction, he raised alarms over the inconsistencies found in the revised electoral roll, stating, “Two deaths reported today out of panic.” The claims come as the political atmosphere intensifies ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Banerjee announced a statewide outreach initiative aimed at connecting with marginalized communities, particularly those from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). He emphasized the importance of these engagements over the next two months, stating that Trinamool leaders would visit these areas, focusing on meaningful conversations with Dalit and Adivasi groups.

In his remarks, Banerjee criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating, “You know elections are around the corner when BJP vultures start hovering overhead, slithering to doorsteps, begging for votes with crocodile tears and empty pledges.” He accused the party of disappearing after elections, leaving unfulfilled promises in their wake. This statement reflects a broader concern within the Trinamool Congress regarding the BJP’s tactics as the electoral contest approaches.

Following his comments, Banerjee referenced a planned demonstration by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on March 6 at Metro Channel in Esplanade, Kolkata. The Chief Minister’s dharna aims to protest alleged irregularities related to the SIR process. Banerjee highlighted that this demonstration would focus on broader issues with the electoral management in the state.

Abhishek Banerjee alleges harassment of common people

Banerjee also stated he had been contacted by 243 individuals who claimed to be alive but were improperly listed as deceased on the electoral rolls. He characterized these discrepancies as indicative of a systematic issue, alleging that common voters’ names were removed to achieve targets set by authorities. “The target was set in advance. That’s the reason why so much harassment of the poor and common people,” he asserted.

Moreover, Banerjee raised questions about the credibility of the electoral process itself, pointing to senior state officials, including cabinet minister Shashi Panja and chief secretary Nandini Mukherjee, being placed under scrutiny regarding their roles. He cited instances, such as cricketer Richa Ghosh and Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen facing examination, and described these actions as “absurd and politically motivated.” These claims emphasize ongoing tensions between the state government and the Election Commission.

According to the Election Commission of India, the SIR exercise led to the deletion of over 5.46 lakh voters, adjusting the total electorate in the state to approximately 7.04 crore. The Commission stated that it adhered to proper procedures throughout the revision process and confirmed that over 60 lakh electors who were under adjudication were included in the final electoral roll.

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