West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that instructions have been given to arrest Trinamool Congress booth agents ahead of the Assembly elections. She made the remarks while addressing a rally in Pingla, West Midnapore, and also targeted the Election Commission over issues related to the voter list.
Her comments come at a time when the voter list has been frozen for the upcoming phases of polling, following ongoing legal scrutiny over names placed under "logical discrepancy" in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Allegations over booth agents
Addressing party workers, Mamata Banerjee claimed that attempts are being made to weaken Trinamool at the grassroots level. She said, "Instructions have been given to officers, from ICs and OCs onwards, to arrest Trinamool booth agents first so that they cannot sit at the booths."
She also called for organisational preparedness. She said, "We must keep a parallel machinery ready. If one agent is arrested, another should take their place. Mothers and sisters will also act as agents. Bengal cannot be subdued so easily."
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The Chief Minister alleged that such measures are being taken because the BJP lacks support on the ground. She further said that her party would continue to resist any such attempts during the election process.
Targets EC over 'logical discrepancy'
Mamata Banerjee also raised questions over the "logical discrepancy" category in the voter list revision process. Referring to recent court observations, she said, "There was no logical discrepancy in Bihar. The Supreme Court also said this. Then why is it there in Bengal?"
She added, "Leaders have come from Delhi along with agencies like ED and CBI. They are trying to cut as many names as possible because they want to capture Bengal."
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The issue was recently discussed in the Supreme Court during a hearing before a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The court observed that voters listed under "logical discrepancy" appeared to be "sandwiched" between the positions of the state government and the Election Commission.
With the voter list now frozen for both phases of polling, uncertainty remains over whether those affected will be able to vote in the upcoming elections.
The Chief Minister also referred to broader public concerns during her speech and reiterated that her party would continue its campaign despite challenges. She indicated that Trinamool Congress would respond politically to the situation, asserting that the party would not be deterred in the electoral contest.
