In Kolkata, political tensions continue to rise in West Bengal over the issue of the SIR (Systematic Internal Review). The state government has been repeatedly accusing the central government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of various irregularities. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written several letters to the Election Commission raising concerns. Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee chaired a virtual meeting with party leaders across the state to discuss the matter.
According to sources, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) organised the virtual meeting with leaders from all over West Bengal, focusing on the challenges posed by the unplanned implementation of the SIR. Abhishek Banerjee highlighted that due to this process, 126 people have lost their lives so far.
Banerjee stated that TMC has been fighting a legal battle against the SIR. A 10-member TMC delegation had travelled to Delhi to meet the Election Commission of India. He mentioned that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar was present during the meeting but did not provide satisfactory answers to their concerns.
Further, Abhishek Banerjee pointed out inconsistencies in 1.36 crore cases, affecting prominent personalities, including Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, cricketer Mohammad Shami, and members of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s family.
He also revealed that their BLO2 (Booth Level Officer 2) was not allowed to participate in the hearings. While other parties agreed to the Election Commission’s instructions via WhatsApp, TMC refused to comply, stating that elections cannot be fought on WhatsApp. This led to intense discussions with the Election Commission, with TMC insisting on BLO2’s participation in the hearings.
On 22 January, during the inauguration of the Kolkata International Book Fair 2026, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharply criticised the Election Commission for the special review process. She called for a united movement involving celebrities, intellectuals, and socially respected individuals against the notices issued during the hearings.
She emphasised that the voter list revision process in West Bengal is ongoing, and many people have already died. The Election Commission should consider the hardships faced by people due to the method of conducting the revision. During the objection and claim hearings on the draft voter list, people have to wait in queues for an average of four to five hours, causing significant inconvenience.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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