Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee intensified her attack on the Centre on Wednesday, alleging that the Special Integrated Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is part of a political design by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to “forcibly capture Bengal” ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Speaking at a massive protest rally in Malda, Banerjee declared that SIR was “not an administrative exercise but a political weapon,” claiming it was crafted solely to undermine the ruling Trinamool Congress.
According to her, the BJP is pushing the SIR process to manipulate voter rolls and destabilise the elected government.
“Amit Shah has done SIR to capture West Bengal. Elections will be announced in February, and they want to oust us forcibly. This is BJP’s plan. But capturing Bengal through manipulation will not be easy — you must win by people’s votes, not by force,” Mamata said.
To counter public fear, Banerjee announced the launch of statewide “May I Help You” camps starting December 12, aimed at assisting citizens facing issues during the SIR verification process.
The Chief Minister also launched a sharp attack on the Centre over religious politics, accusing the NDA government of trying to interfere in Waqf properties and stoke communal divisions. “As long as I am here, no one will touch any religious place. I do not do communal politics,” she said, reaffirming her stand.
Meanwhile, BJP sources revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a closed-door meeting with BJP MPs from Bengal. He reportedly told them that the SIR process would continue and that voter lists were being “cleaned up” ahead of the Assembly polls. Modi also urged MPs to stay connected with people at the grassroots and prepare intensively for 2026.
