Kolkata/Malda: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday intensified her attack on the BJP, alleging large-scale deletion of voters from electoral rolls, as she addressed a rally in Enayetpur, Malda.
During the gathering, Banerjee conducted an on the spot show of hands, asking attendees how many had allegedly been removed from the voter list following the SIR process. According to her, nearly 60% of the crowd responded, a moment she said reflected the seriousness of the issue.
Launching a sharp critique, the Chief Minister accused the BJP of weakening democratic principles. She questioned how elections could remain meaningful if citizens were deprived of their right to vote, and challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to visit the area and face those affected.
Banerjee further claimed that voter deletions were selectively targeting minority, Scheduled Caste, and Scheduled Tribe communities. She also alleged misuse of central agencies and accused the BJP of fostering division and unrest for political gains.
In an effort to reassure supporters, the Trinamool Congress leader led a nearly 3-km march from Malda College Ground to English Bazar, calling for unity and restraint among party workers amid concerns of internal discord in the district.
Addressing multiple rallies across Malda, she urged citizens not to succumb to provocation and instead fight democratically to safeguard their constitutional rights. Banerjee also advised voters to remain vigilant during polling and counting, stressing the importance of verifying EVMs and VVPAT systems.
The Chief Minister claimed that lakhs of voters were under scrutiny, with many allegedly removed unfairly, and encouraged affected individuals to seek redress through proper legal channels. Reiterating her stance, she asserted that the right to vote must be protected at all costs, calling it fundamental to the democratic framework.