In a recent address, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of manipulating electoral rolls with the alleged assistance of the Election Commission. She claimed that the BJP is enrolling “fake voters” from other states to influence the upcoming 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal.
Banerjee expressed concerns over the integrity of the electoral process, stating, “The BJP is manipulating voters’ lists with the blessings of the Election Commission.” She further alleged that similar tactics were employed in Delhi and Maharashtra, where the BJP purportedly enrolled fake voters from Haryana and Gujarat to secure electoral victories.
To counteract these alleged manipulations, Banerjee announced plans to mobilize her party members to scrutinize the electoral rolls meticulously. She instructed block-level party functionaries to begin this verification process promptly, emphasizing the need to complete it within ten days. A dedicated committee at Trinamool Bhawan will be established to assist party workers in rectifying discrepancies in the voter lists.
Highlighting her commitment to ensuring a fair electoral process, Banerjee warned of potential protests against the Election Commission if the issues are not addressed. Drawing from her past activism, she stated, “If I can go for a 26-day hunger strike during the anti-land acquisition movement in 2006, then we can start a movement against the Election Commission too.” She did not rule out the possibility of an indefinite dharna (sit-in protest) outside the Election Commission’s office to demand the correction of voter rolls and the removal of ineligible electors.
Banerjee also questioned the recent appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as the Chief Election Commissioner, suggesting potential biases in the electoral oversight. She urged her party members to remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and challenging any irregularities in the voter lists.
Addressing her party cadre, Banerjee expressed confidence in the Trinamool Congress’s prospects in the forthcoming elections. She predicted that her party would secure more than 215 out of 294 seats in the West Bengal assembly, thereby reducing the BJP’s influence in the state.
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In addition to her concerns about domestic electoral integrity, Banerjee condemned the recent deportation of Indian immigrants from the United States. She described the treatment of deportees, who were reportedly returned in chains, as “shameful” and criticized the central government for not intervening adequately. “Whenever elections approach, the BJP talks about infiltration, but our citizens are deported from the US in chains,” she remarked, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy in the ruling party’s stance on immigration issues.
These allegations and proposed actions underscore the escalating tensions between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP as West Bengal approaches its next assembly elections. The Chief Minister’s assertions point to a broader discourse on electoral integrity, the role of regulatory bodies, and the influence of external factors on state politics. As the situation develops, the responses from the Election Commission and the BJP will be pivotal in shaping the state’s political landscape leading up to the 2026 elections.
