Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari Lock Horns Over Voter List
West Bengal’s political arena is witnessing another fiery showdown as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari spar over the ongoing voter list revision. The confrontation reached new heights on Wednesday with rival rallies in Nadia district, each side accusing the other of electoral foul play.
Dueling Rallies in Nadia District
At a packed gathering in Krishnanagar, Mamata Banerjee slammed the BJP for allegedly manipulating the voter list to exclude minority and marginalized voters. She coined the term “Silent Invisible Rigging” (SIR), claiming the BJP was stealthily removing legitimate voters.
Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari led a parallel rally in Tehatta, accusing the TMC of inflating voter lists with fake entries. “The TMC’s fear is evident as the Election Commission cleans up fraudulent names,” Adhikari stated.
TMC’s ‘Silent Invisible Rigging’ Allegation
The TMC alleges BJP-backed bureaucrats are systematically deleting TMC supporters’ names while adding BJP loyalists. State Minister Firhad Hakim claimed 5 lakh names were recently purged unfairly.
BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya dismissed the charges, calling them a “desperate TMC tactic” to cover up its history of electoral fraud.
Election Commission Under Fire
The Election Commission of India (ECI) faces scrutiny, with TMC accusing it of BJP bias. Chief Electoral Officer Aariz Aftab defended the process as “transparent and lawful.”
Political analysts note the BJP seeks a cleaner electoral roll to counter TMC’s alleged strong-arm tactics, while the ruling party fears losing its edge in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Bengal’s History of Electoral Controversies
West Bengal has a legacy of voter list disputes, from the Left Front era to TMC’s reign. The BJP, now the main opposition, is pushing for stricter scrutiny—a move the TMC frames as a “threat to democracy.”
Public Divide and Political Implications
The rallies have deepened polarization, with TMC supporters backing Mamata’s claims and BJP voters advocating for a fraud-free list. The issue is set to dominate Bengal’s politics ahead of 2024.
What’s Next?
The ECI’s handling of revisions will shape the political battlefield. A smooth process may benefit the BJP, while TMC’s SIR narrative could rally its base. One thing’s clear: Bengal’s political drama is far from over.
