Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Dec 11: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp offensive against the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday, alleging that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state was being manipulated under the influence of the BJP’s IT cell.

Addressing an anti-SIR rally in Krishnanagar, Nadia district, Banerjee claimed that the Commission was attempting to delete 1.5 crore voters from West Bengal’s rolls.

“If even one voter’s name is removed, I will sit on a dharna. My protest will continue until every deleted name is restored,” she declared. “The BJP is trying to misuse the SIR process for its benefit. The ECI is preparing the voter list based on data given by the BJP’s IT cell. They may have succeeded in Bihar, but they will not succeed here.”

She also launched a blistering personal attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that he was “dangerous” and capable of “anything,” and further remarking: “His eyes speak of how dangerous he is — one eye is like Duryodhana and the other like Dushasana.”

With Assembly elections approaching next year, Banerjee cautioned supporters that there may be attempts to influence and divide voters through money. “It is the BJP’s old tactic to distribute money before elections. Do not let them divide you,” she warned.

Referring to the recent arrest of three individuals accused of harassing and assaulting two vendors selling chicken patties at the Brigade Parade Ground during a Bhagavad Gita recital event, the Chief Minister reiterated her government’s zero-tolerance stance.

“No one engaging in such acts will be spared. This is West Bengal, not Uttar Pradesh,” she said.

Banerjee’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions over the SIR process, with the Trinamool Congress alleging targeted deletion of voters and the BJP accusing the ruling party of obstructing a lawful electoral update.