08 April,2026 03:57 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondent
Mamata Banerjee. Pic/PTI
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday strongly criticised the alleged large-scale deletion of voter names from electoral rolls, asserting that her party will once again approach the courts to challenge the exclusions. Her remarks come amid escalating political tensions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise conducted in the state, reported PTI.
According to official data, more than 90.83 lakh names have been removed from the voter list following the revision process. The deletions account for approximately 11.85 per cent of the total electorate, which stood at 7.66 crore in October 2025, reported PTI.
Banerjee questioned the scale and intent of the deletions, stating that such measures would not weaken her party's electoral prospects. She alleged that the exercise disproportionately impacted genuine voters and raised concerns about the transparency of the process, reported PTI.
Reiterating her party's legal strategy, Banerjee said the Trinamool Congress would challenge the deletions in court to ensure that eligible voters are reinstated. She emphasised that the right to vote is a constitutional guarantee and cannot be arbitrarily curtailed, reported PTI.
"We will move court again to resist the exclusion of names," she said, adding that denying citizens their voting rights undermines the democratic framework. She also questioned the decision to freeze electoral rolls while disputes remain unresolved, reported PTI.
Earlier in February, Banerjee had approached the Supreme Court of India seeking intervention in the SIR process.
The Chief Minister launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission of India, accusing them of manipulating electoral rolls for political advantage, reported PTI.
Addressing a rally in Arambagh in Hooghly district, Banerjee alleged that attempts were being made to influence voters through inducements. She further claimed that individuals were being contacted over the phone and subjected to intimidation, reported PTI.
"It is working at the behest of the BJP," she alleged, referring to the Election Commission, while claiming that people were being pressured during the revision process, reported PTI.
At another rally in Balagarh, Banerjee escalated her criticism, warning voters against supporting the BJP. She claimed that a change in power could impact cultural and dietary freedoms in the state, reported PTI.
Her remarks reflect the intensifying political discourse in West Bengal as parties gear up for upcoming electoral battles, with voter rolls becoming a central point of contention.
The controversy surrounding voter deletions has triggered a broader debate on electoral integrity and transparency. While authorities maintain that the revision exercise is aimed at removing duplicate and ineligible entries, opposition parties argue that it risks disenfranchising legitimate voters.
With the Trinamool Congress preparing for another legal challenge, the issue is expected to remain at the forefront of political discourse in the state in the coming weeks.
(With inputs from PTI)
