A case linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls came up for hearing in the Supreme Court today, in which West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared before the court herself to make her case in the matter. The SIR exercise is being carried out by the Election Commission in the state.
The Election Commission has maintained that the drive is meant only to clean the voter list by removing dead and doubtful names. Mamata Banerjee and her party, however, have pushed back strongly. They argue that the exercise was rolled out in a hurry and has caused widespread trouble and harassment for ordinary people.
Mamata Banerjee's arguments in the Supreme Court
The West Bengal Chief Minister sought urgent directions to stop the deletion of the names of voters from the electoral rolls. She highlighted that more than 60 lakh hearings are still pending in the state.
Banerjee said in the court, "They have targeted Bengal on the eve of elections. What was the hurry after 24 years to carry out the exercise in two months, what is supposed to take two years?" She added, "More than 100 people have died. Several BLOs have died who wrote letters about the harassment caused by the exercise."
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She added, "The names of 58 lakh people have been deleted. Living people have been declared dead. They are targeting Bengal, and micro-observers have been appointed only for Bengal. They want to bulldoze the people of Bengal."
Political analyst highlights Mamata Banerjee's political messaging
Political analyst, commentator, and former Vice-Chancellor of North Bengal University Prof. Dr. Omprakash Mishra told News Ei Samay, "CM Mamata Banerjee has successfully turned the tables against the ECI on the SIR issue. Her stringent and consistent critique of the exclusionary and motivated SIR has garnered significant traction and attention throughout the country."
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Dr. Mishra also highlighted that the Chief Minister's stance on the issue will prove to be beneficial for the Trinamool Congress in the upcoming West Bengal elections. He said, "As the champion of the rights of the people of Bengal, she has been able to brighten the prospects of TMC by several notches in the electoral battle ahead."
On Mamata Banerjee's political messaging, Dr. Mishra said, "It is important to understand the history, geography, demography, and culture of the population for perfect political messaging. Mamata Banerjee is miles ahead in this regard and would surely reap a higher political dividend in the election."
