Mamata Banerjee accuses EC, BJP of 'undermining democracy', says 'next target could be citizenship via NRC'

CM Banerjee made the remarks while launching her campaign for the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections from politically crucial North Bengal, a region that has emerged as a BJP stronghold since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, reported PTI. 

Addressing a rally in Maynaguri, Jalpaiguri district, the TMC supremo alleged that constitutional institutions were being used to "snatch away people's voting rights" through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Banerjee accuses BJP, Centre, and EC of undermining democracy

"The EC, BJP, and the Centre are not following the Constitution. They are trying to snatch away voting rights," Banerjee said at her first major campaign rally for the polls, reported PTI.

Drawing a sharp political contrast with the hour of India's Independence, she claimed that the release of the supplementary electoral list had triggered a “midnight rampage.”

"We got Independence at midnight, and we feel proud of it. But today, they have forgotten Independence. They are not following the Constitution or democracy. They are snatching away people's voting rights," she said, the news agency reported. 

Banerjee warns BJP may target citizenship next through NRC

"Today, they are snatching away voting rights; tomorrow, they will snatch away citizenship by bringing the NRC," she warned.

Banerjee alleged that several communities, including Rajbanshis and women, were being affected by the revision of electoral rolls.

"Rajbanshi names have been removed through SIR. Women's names are also being removed. Removing the name of one woman means removing the name of the entire womenfolk," she said, seeking to mobilise women voters, who form a crucial support base for the ruling party.

In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric, Banerjee claimed that the electoral roll exercise had already caused distress among people.

Banerjee claims 220 deaths in Bengal linked to SIR exercise

"Due to SIR, 220 people have died in Bengal since the exercise began in November. Their souls are crying today. BJP must remember, they will have to answer," Banerjee claimed.

Accusing the BJP of branding long-time residents as foreigners, Banerjee said, "After living on this soil for so long, you are calling us foreigners and asking us to prove our citizenship. First, you prove whether you are a citizen of this country, then challenge the people."

Without naming Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, or Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Banerjee told the crowd to bid farewell to "this gentleman here and the two gentlemen in Delhi."

North Bengal, particularly Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar, has been a key battleground between the TMC and the BJP since the saffron party's surge in the region in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when it swept most seats and built a formidable organisational base among communities such as the Rajbanshis.

Against that backdrop, Banerjee combined sharp political attacks with welfare messaging aimed at consolidating the TMC's core support groups.

"If you want tea gardens to remain open, vote for Trinamool Congress," she said.

“We do not merely make promises, we implement them,” says West Bengal CM

The TMC supremo also highlighted schemes such as Lakshmir Bhandar, Swasthya Sathi, and free ration, presenting them as examples of the TMC government's welfare model. "We do not merely make promises, we implement them," she said.

Banerjee said the state government had arranged crop insurance for potato farmers who suffered losses due to unseasonal rains in Jalpaiguri and neighbouring districts.

The chief minister also criticised the BJP-led Centre over rising fuel prices and alleged restrictions on LPG cylinder bookings.

Banerjee questions Centre over soaring petrol, cooking gas shortages

"The price of petrol is rising. Now they say that after booking a gas cylinder, it may take 35 days. How will people cook?" she asked.

Banerjee also urged her party candidates to take lawyers with them while filing nomination papers, alleging that nominations had been cancelled in BJP-ruled Assam.

"I do not have faith in the BJP and the Election Commission. Our candidates should take lawyers with them and check every document carefully," she said.

In a pitch aimed directly at women voters, Banerjee invoked the role of women in resisting political pressure. "Mothers and sisters should come forward if anyone tries to capture booths," she said.

Chief Minister highlights attacks on cultural and linguistic freedoms

Taking a swipe at the BJP, Banerjee accused the party of trying to dictate food habits and language. "In some states, people are beaten for eating fish or meat. They even beat up people for speaking Bengali. We respect every religion, language, and community," she said, the news agency reported. 

Seeking to strike an emotive note with voters, the chief minister asserted that the people of Bengal remain her biggest strength.

"They have taken everything away from me. Now I have only one thing, the people," she said.

Elections for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases, on April 23 and April 29. The results will be declared on May 4.

(With PTI inputs)