Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a fiery warning on Monday, declaring that the state will not permit the implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, a voter list update drive currently underway in Bihar. She threatened to launch a massive statewide movement if any attempt is made to initiate the drive in Bengal.
Addressing a massive crowd at the Trinamool Congress’s annual Martyrs’ Day rally in central Kolkata, Banerjee lashed out at the Modi government and the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing them of plotting to disenfranchise voters. The veteran leader, speaking in both Bengali and Hindi, alleged that over 40 lakh voters were arbitrarily removed from the electoral rolls in Bihar under the guise of SIR.
“If you try that here, we will launch a Gherao movement. We will not let you touch the voter list in Bengal. No detention camps here — not on my watch,” Mamata thundered. “They talk of misrule, but it is their government that’s misruling,” she added, slamming the BJP-led Centre.
With West Bengal set to go to the polls next summer, Mamata made it clear that the SIR exercise, which she views as politically motivated, will not be allowed in the state under any circumstances.
The Martyrs’ Day rally, a high-voltage political event held annually to commemorate the 1993 police firing on protesting youth, brought central Kolkata to a standstill as thousands gathered to hear Banerjee’s speech, reaffirming her role as a combative national opposition figure.
