New Delhi: The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal has become a flashpoint between the state government and the central government, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urging the Election Commission (EC) to halt the process immediately. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted the necessity of stopping infiltration, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Banerjee's concerns stem from what she describes as a "chaotic, coercive, and dangerously unplanned" implementation of the SIR, which she believes is exposing voters and officials to unnecessary risks. In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, she requested a reassessment of the methodology and timelines, emphasizing the need to stop coercive measures and provide adequate training and support to booth-level officers (BLOs). She highlighted the excessive pressure on BLOs, lack of proper training, and alleged intimidation by the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer's office.
The Chief Minister cited instances of distress and even deaths allegedly linked to the SIR process, including the suicide of an anganwadi worker serving as a BLO in Jalpaiguri. Banerjee argued that continuing the "unplanned, coercive drive" endangers lives and jeopardizes the legitimacy of the electoral roll revision itself. She has also accused the EC of deliberately attempting to malign voters and creating a "super emergency" by keeping officials occupied with election work, thus hampering the functioning of the state government.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has been vocal against SIR, calling it a "backdoor National Register of Citizens (NRC)" orchestrated by the BJP. Banerjee has questioned why the EC has not issued any condolence messages despite reported deaths due to fears surrounding the SIR.
In response to Banerjee's letter, West Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal clarified that policy decisions are made by the Election Commission of India and that the SIR process would be completed on time.
The BJP has strongly criticized Banerjee's stance, accusing her of protecting a voter base built through fraudulent means. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar stated that the SIR process is progressing within the constitutional framework despite the TMC's opposition. He also accused Banerjee of challenging a constitutional institution and disregarding constitutional provisions. BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya suggested that Banerjee's complaints and "drama" stem from political trouble ahead of the 2026 elections.
Amidst this political back-and-forth, the Calcutta High Court has asked the EC to submit an affidavit on a PIL challenging the SIR in West Bengal. The Election Commission team has also reviewed the progress of the SIR, while opposition leaders have accused the Chief Minister of protecting bogus voters.
The debate around the SIR highlights the deep political divisions in West Bengal and raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. With the state elections in 2026 on the horizon, the stakes are high, and the controversy surrounding the SIR is likely to intensify.
