58 Lakh Names Deleted from West Bengal Voter List: Political Tensions Rise Ahead of Assembly Polls

In a development likely to stir political controversy in election-bound West Bengal, 58 lakh names have been removed from the state's draft voter list following the Special Intensive Revision aimed at eliminating duplication and errors. Among these removed names, 24 lakh were categorized as "dead," 19 lakh as "relocated," 12 lakh as "missing," and 1.3 lakh as "duplicate."

The draft list publication concludes the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision. Individuals whose names have been incorrectly excluded can now file objections and request corrections. After addressing these concerns, the final list will be released in February next year. Bengal's Assembly polls announcement is expected after the final list publication. The last SIR in Bengal was conducted in 2002.

Trinamool MP Saugata Roy described the removal of 58 lakh names as "injustice." He told NDTV at Parliament, "This is the BJP's conspiracy to remove legitimate voters from Bengal's list. We have established voter assistance booths to help citizens submit forms for inclusion in the voter list."

The draft list's publication will likely intensify political tensions in Bengal regarding SIR. Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has opposed this exercise, accusing the Centre and Election Commission of using SIR to eliminate names of eligible voters before the election.

During a rally in Bengal's Krishnanagar earlier this month, Banerjee urged people to protest if their names were removed from voter lists. "You will take away the rights of mothers and sisters in the name of SIR? They will bring police from Delhi during elections to intimidate mothers and sisters. If your names are struck off, you have tools, right? The tools you use for cooking. You have strength, right? You won't accept your names being removed, right? Women will lead the fight, with men supporting from behind," she stated.

The BJP alleges that Banerjee's campaign against SIR aims to protect her voter base of illegal immigrants. "Mamata Banerjee is creating disturbance because she fears losing power as deceased, fake, and illegal voters are being removed. Trinamool only has a 22 lakh vote difference with BJP," said Opposition Leader in Assembly Suvendu Adhikari.

Previously, the Trinamool Congress criticized the Election Commission following reports of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) dying by suicide due to work pressure. The party claimed the poll body had "blood on its hands." The draft list publication is expected to trigger another round of criticism from Banerjee's party.