Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Aug 28: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government on Thursday, accusing it of plotting to strip citizens of their voting rights under the guise of voter list revisions. Addressing the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad’s foundation day in Kolkata, she vowed to block any attempt at implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state.

Alleging that over 500 teams have been deployed in Bengal to conduct surveys aimed at deleting names from the electoral roll, Banerjee warned citizens to verify their voter status and keep their Aadhaar cards updated. “I will not allow anyone to take away people’s voting rights while I’m alive,” she declared.

She accused the Election Commission of overstepping its jurisdiction by allegedly pressuring state officials year-round. “Their power is limited to three months during elections. The real motive is to push NRC through the revision process,” Banerjee said, calling it a veiled attempt to target specific communities.

Without naming names, the Chief Minister also took a jab at the film The Bengal Files, suggesting it was funded to tarnish Bengal’s image. “These films are being made to spread lies and erase the contributions of Bengalis in India’s freedom movement. This linguistic and cultural assault won’t be tolerated,” she said.

Banerjee also lashed out at the CPI(M), accusing them of aligning with the BJP in Bengal. She condemned the Kerala government over a remark allegedly made about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, calling it “disrespectful” and “historically inaccurate.”

She further criticised opposition parties and individuals for frequently moving court to stall government work, blaming them for the delay in the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination results and recruitment processes. “You can’t defeat us politically, so you’re using the courts as a backdoor,” she said.

On an unrelated note, Banerjee revealed plans to release a book at next year’s International Kolkata Book Fair chronicling her personal experiences with various Indian Prime Ministers.

Closing her speech, she addressed a recent funding issue at Burdwan University, claiming the vice-chancellor had stopped research grants. “After learning the VC was appointed by the Governor, I personally ensured the grants were resumed,” she said.