On Monday, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee raised serious concerns regarding the deletion of 63.66 lakh names from the electoral rolls of the state, linking the removals to an alleged collaboration between the Election Commission and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This claim surfaces in the context of the upcoming Assembly elections in 2026. Banerjee, the leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), characterized the deletions as “deliberate and inhumane,” arguing that the actions were aimed at facilitating the BJP’s electoral success due to its inability to win elections based on its own merits. This was her first statement following the publication of the final post-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) rolls on February 28.

Impact on Voter Base

The final electoral roll revealed that approximately 8.3 percent of the electorate had been excluded, which reduces the number of registered voters in West Bengal to just over 7.04 crore. In addition, more than 60.06 lakh voters are classified as “under adjudication,” indicating that their status is pending further scrutiny in the coming weeks. This revision marks one of the most significant changes to the electoral rolls in West Bengal since 2002, intensifying the political tensions between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP in light of the Assembly elections expected in April.

Focus on the Bhabanipur Constituency

Central to the ongoing debate is Bhabanipur, a constituency viewed as Banerjee’s stronghold. The TMC leader stated that nearly 60,000 voters in Bhabanipur have been directly affected by these deletions. The constituency is relatively small, with a total of around 2.6 lakh voters. Previously, 44,000 voters had already been removed, and this time, an additional 14,000 were placed in the “under adjudication” category, alongside approximately 2,000 stated removals due to alleged logistical errors. Banerjee emphasized the need for transparency regarding the status of these voters, questioning their disappearance.

Official Figures and Political Context

According to official statistics, Bhabanipur had 2.06 lakh registered voters when the SIR process began on November 4. Initial drafts revealed 44,786 deletions, and the final list included an additional 2,324 exclusions, amounting to a total of 47,094 names removed. Notably, this deletion figure is about 11,000 less than the margin by which Banerjee won her previous by-election in Bhabanipur, further heightening the political implications of these changes. Responding to Banerjee, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari expressed confidence in the BJP’s position, suggesting that no support remained for her political aspirations.

Upcoming Protests and Political Messaging

In light of these developments, Banerjee announced plans to hold a dharna starting March 6, specifically targeting the supposed “EC-BJP nexus.” She noted that both her party and government have engaged with multiple authorities during the revision process while expressing concerns over the impact on legitimate voters. Emphasizing the consequences of disenfranchisement, she declared that the people of Bengal would respond firmly against any attempts to manipulate elections by removing eligible voters.

Communal and Cultural References

Addressing the situation, Banerjee also commented on the BJP’s recent campaigns, suggesting that their influence in West Bengal is waning. She framed the SIR exercise as a critical human issue beyond political rivalry, asserting that the ramifications affect not only individual voters but the broader community. By invoking poet Rabindranath Tagore during her speech, Banerjee conveyed a message of resilience, claiming that humanity would ultimately prevail over divisive forces. She reiterated the social diversity of Bengal, highlighting its rich tapestry that includes various religious and cultural groups coexisting harmoniously.

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