Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday raised concerns over the exclusion of voter names, particularly from the Matua community, during a campaign rally in Chakdaha-Bongaon, a Matua-dominated region. She alleged that names were selectively removed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and warned of action to restore them.
The Election Commission has completed the revision process and frozen the voter list. Out of nearly 60 lakh names under adjudication, around 27.16 lakh names have been excluded.
Mamata Banerjee alleges selective exclusion of names
Addressing the rally, Mamata Banerjee claimed that many Matua and other voter names were deliberately removed. She said, "They have selectively excluded names like picking lice. Many names have been removed from districts such as Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, and North Dinajpur. A large number of Matuas have also been dropped."
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She added that her party would take legal steps to restore the names. "We will approach the tribunal to get the names of excluded voters included. We will try to ensure this is done before the elections," she said.
Issuing a warning, she said, "If anyone tries to take away the rights of Matuas, I will not remain silent. I will fight this battle."
Calls for voter response, targets BJP
CM Banerjee urged voters to respond through the ballot. She said, "You were made to stand in lines despite being voters. If you feel insulted, give your reply by standing in the voting line and casting your vote."
She also alleged that there was a plan to restore names after the elections for political gain. "There is a conspiracy to include the names after the elections. We will continue trying to restore them before the polls," she said, adding, "We will not allow detention camps."
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The Trinamool chairperson further accused the BJP of creating divisions within the Thakur family for electoral benefit. She said, "Those who are trying to create divisions in the Thakur family for vote politics should be careful. Do not go too far."
She also alleged selective action by central agencies. "If you work for BJP, ED, and CBI do not come. If you work for Trinamool, they come even if you do nothing," she said.
The remarks come amid ongoing political tensions over voter list revisions ahead of the Assembly elections.
