Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Aug 13: Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha leader Abhishek Banerjee has thrown down the gauntlet to the BJP-led Centre, urging it to immediately dissolve the Lok Sabha if the Election Commission of India (ECI) truly believes that the current voter lists are riddled with irregularities.

In a fiery statement on social media, Banerjee reacted sharply to the ECI’s claims about discrepancies in electoral rolls in various states — the very lists used for the 2024 general elections.

"If the EC claims these voter lists are faulty, then the elections held using them stand compromised. That means the people of India were betrayed," Banerjee wrote.

He challenged the government to act on moral grounds and dismantle the current Parliament if it agrees with the ECI’s assessment.

"If the Centre truly supports Special Intensive Revision (SIR), then Parliament must be dissolved, and a nationwide SIR must be conducted — not selectively in poll-bound states."

Addressing reporters outside Kolkata Airport, Banerjee expanded on his demand. He argued that if manipulated voter rolls were used in the 2024 general elections, not only should the Lok Sabha be dissolved, but state assemblies elected since then should also be dismantled.

He further called for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, as both were elected based on what he described as compromised voter rolls.

Banerjee also demanded legal action against former Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, alleging that under his tenure, flawed electoral rolls led to a tainted democratic process.

Meanwhile, the ECI has rejected the opposition's claims, issuing a statement on Monday calling such allegations of voter list manipulation “incorrect.”

Banerjee’s remarks come amid growing tension between opposition parties and the ECI over the timing and scope of voter list revisions, particularly in states heading to elections.