Mamata Banerjee Challenges Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal: 'Votebandi' Controversy Explained

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has labeled the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as "votebandi," comparing it to the controversial demonetization or "notebandi" policy. Speaking from 'Uttarkanya' in Siliguri after an administrative meeting, Banerjee firmly stated she would defend voters' rights regardless of personal consequences, even if it meant "getting her throat slashed" for opposing the exercise.

Banerjee called on the Election Commission to halt the SIR immediately, asserting that implementing this exercise in West Bengal would not be as straightforward as it was in Bihar. She emphasized that unless every legitimate voter is properly included in the final electoral rolls, the process would face significant resistance.

"I remember when Mr. Seshan was election commissioner, he said the EC is for the people, not the government. The current leaders are simply saying 'yes sir' repeatedly," Banerjee remarked, making an indirect reference to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. "This approach worked in Bihar because you faced no opposition, but in Bengal, we will challenge every step. Your priority seems to be pleasing your superiors rather than serving the public. Democracy cannot be dismantled so easily."

The Chief Minister delivered a stern warning: "It is not easy to play with us. We evaluate the situation before taking action. We will monitor them at every stage and ensure all legitimate voters can exercise their rights. The EC should not follow the BJP's instructions. If they wish to penalize me for these statements, they may do so. What will they do? Imprison me, deploy agencies against me, revoke my voting rights, or even cut my throat? But they must not torment the people by stripping away their voting rights."

Banerjee accused the central government of creating a "super emergency" by detaining state government employees for the SIR process. "State employees are being held until February next year when the final electoral rolls will be published. Elections will follow shortly after. When will the state government be able to function? This appears to be a deliberate strategy to paralyze the government for three months, effectively imposing a super emergency under the guise of SIR," she claimed.

She criticized the Election Commission for allegedly rushing the SIR process and causing public distress. "I don't understand the urgency to conduct SIR just before elections. This disrespects Bengal's citizens. I maintain my position that the EC must stop this exercise immediately. The revision cannot be completed in just two or three months. I've heard reports of households with eight voters receiving only two forms, with six missing," she stated.

"Citizens are now required to verify their identity. What greater humiliation could there be? The process could have been spread over two years. What authority does the EC have to determine citizenship status?" Banerjee questioned.

The Chief Minister also directed criticism at the Union government regarding border security, questioning why Home Minister Amit Shah shouldn't be held accountable for infiltration issues when border protection is the responsibility of the BSF, a central agency. "If the BSF guards our borders, shouldn't you, Amit Shah, be accountable for infiltration? As Home Minister, you should resign first. After more than a decade in office, you cannot continue misleading the public with falsehoods," Banerjee asserted.

She further attacked the Centre for allegedly withholding the state's GST revenue share, calling for the Goods and Services Tax to be abolished and admitting her support for it was a "blunder." "Amit Mitra convinced me earlier and I agreed, but I now realize that was a mistake. Many transactions are now taxed, with the Centre using state-collected funds for wasteful expenditure and diverting resources to other states. The central government's primary role should be limited to defense and border security; most other matters fall under state jurisdiction," she maintained.

"The Centre falsely advertises making insurance tax-free. They take our funds and then claim credit for benefits, which is misleading. That money came from our treasury, not their achievement," Banerjee added.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari dismissed Banerjee's demands, insisting that the SIR process cannot be halted. "The Chief Minister should review the Constitution, which grants the EC supreme authority to conduct any necessary exercise for ensuring free and fair elections. The commission can even deploy the army to complete the process. The SIR has commenced and will finish according to schedule," he stated.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged that both TMC and BJP have generated panic regarding SIR to divert attention from important issues. "People are being distracted from critical matters like deterioration in healthcare, education, law enforcement, and corruption. Both TMC and BJP share responsibility for spreading fear about SIR," he commented.

CPI(M) leader and advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya criticized Banerjee for her stance on infiltration. "Mamata Banerjee should welcome the BJP raising this issue, as she herself highlighted it while in opposition. The BJP is merely continuing what she initiated," Bhattacharya remarked.