• Source:JND

Amid a high-stakes election atmosphere, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a bold directive, promising full legal support to voters whose names are struck off the electoral rolls during judicial reviews. She clarified that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will provide a dedicated panel of lawyers to help these citizens fight for their right to vote.

During a rally in Pandaveswar, West Bengal, on Thursday, the Chief Minister framed the upcoming elections as a modern-day "Kurukshetra." In her sharp rhetorical style, she compared the BJP to the Kauravas and positioned the TMC as the Pandavas, calling for a "Dharma Yuddha" against injustice.

Allegations of Electoral Manipulation

Banerjee launched a direct offensive against the Election Commission, alleging a systematic effort to disenfranchise voters in TMC strongholds. Key highlights of her address include:

Targeted Deletions: She claimed that a significant number of names are being removed from voter lists specifically in areas where her party traditionally holds a lead.

"Though I am not sure, I have heard that eight lakh names of 27 lakh voters under adjudication have been deleted from the first supplementary list. But where is that list? Why have hard copies of that list not yet been put up in government offices so far?" she posed.

ALSO READ: 'Diplomatic Balancing': How India Became Iran's 'Friend' Amid War To Secure Free Strait Of Hormuz Passage

The 60-Lakh Concern: Her statement follows data indicating that out of approximately 60 lakh cases sent for judicial scrutiny, process completion has been reached for 32 lakh. Estimates suggest nearly 40 per cent of these could face removal.

The Basirhat Incident: The Chief Minister’s concerns were amplified by recent reports from Basirhat, where over 300 individuals from a single community, including a Booth Level Officer (BLO), reportedly found their names missing.

Support Systems And Appeals

To counter these removals, Banerjee highlighted that 19 Appellate Tribunals have been established for voters to file their appeals. She urged women, in particular, to take a leading role in this political struggle to safeguard their democratic rights.

ALSO READ: 'We Can’t Stand In Queues': Karnataka MLAs Demand 5 Free IPL Tickets For RCB Matches In Bengaluru

"I can only verify the information after that list is displayed," CM said. Stating that the "lack of transparency" over addition and deletion figures in the first supplementary list has left affected citizens in a fix over their subsequent move for redressal, Banerjee said the TMC would set up camps to aid such citizens with free legal consultancy.

"Only after that list gets displayed in booths can those, whose names have been unfairly deleted, fill up application forms to move tribunals. We have to fight this according to the provisions of law, and TMC will provide legal assistance to every victim free of charge," she declared.

By vowing that "no voter will face injustice," the TMC leader has effectively turned the technical process of voter list revision into a major pillar of her campaign strategy.


Also In News