Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday unleashed one of her sharpest attacks yet on the Centre, alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive ordered by the Election Commission had resulted in “at least 40 deaths” in the state and was being selectively used to destabilise non-BJP governments.
Addressing a public outreach gathering, Banerjee claimed that the entire exercise had placed unbearable pressure on citizens and booth-level workers, leading to tragic loss of life.
“We have already given ₹2 lakh compensation for the deceased and ₹1 lakh for those in hospital. But why was SIR suddenly imposed just months before the elections? Why only in states where BJP is not in power?” she asked, accusing the Centre of “weaponising administrative processes for political gains.”
Banerjee alleged that while Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Bengal were pushed into conducting SIR just ahead of polls, BJP-ruled border states were spared.
“Is SIR not needed there?” she questioned.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief further claimed that the BJP was attempting to use SIR as a backdoor mechanism to create “detention camp-like conditions” in Bengal.
“No such camp will be allowed here. Let the BJP hear me clearly,” she said, urging citizens to attend revision hearings to avoid deletion of their names from voter rolls.
Banerjee accused the BJP of trying to remove minorities, Matuas and Rajbanshi communities from electoral lists. “Many who died due to SIR pressure were Hindus. So whom are you trying to target now?” she remarked.
She also cautioned voters about independent candidates, alleging they were being “propped up to cut votes and benefit the BJP,” pointing to similar patterns witnessed previously in Bihar.
“Do not fall for misinformation about the Waqf Act. Communal forces are spreading lies. Rohingyas are not here— they are in double-engine BJP states,” she said.
