SIR Not Much to Be Worried About — With political temperature rising across West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is gearing up for a mega rally in November, to be helmed by party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, as part of its political strategy to counter the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls announced by the Election Commission of India. The rally, expected to take place in Kolkata, will serve as a massive show of strength for the ruling party ahead of next year’s state and parliamentary contests.
According to TMC insiders, the leadership is confident that there is “not much to be worried about” regarding the SIR process. However, the rally’s purpose is clear — to activate the party’s grassroots machinery, prepare booth-level agents for voter verification, and ensure that no legitimate voter’s name is unfairly deleted.
Abhishek Banerjee’s Confident Message: “Nothing to Fear from SIR”
Sources within the party revealed that Abhishek Banerjee has assured cadres during internal meetings that the SIR, which aims to clean up electoral rolls by removing duplicate or false entries, would not adversely impact TMC’s vote base.
“Even if one crore names are deleted from the voter rolls as the BJP claims, the Trinamool’s overall vote share will not be affected. Every party has supporters whose names could be removed, not just ours,” a senior TMC functionary quoted Banerjee as saying.
Banerjee’s statement came in response to BJP’s repeated allegations that the voter lists in Bengal contain “fake or infiltrator names.” The TMC leadership, in turn, maintains that the BJP is attempting to use the SIR process to selectively target genuine voters, especially from minority and marginalised communities.
Read more about the Election Commission’s voter revision guidelines here.
SIR Not Much to Be Worried About: The Significance of the November Rally
The November rally is being described as both a mobilisation exercise and a morale booster for Trinamool workers at a time when the party is preparing for electoral battles in 2026. The event will also serve as a platform to launch a state-wide awareness campaign urging citizens to check their names on the electoral list and register any missing entries during the SIR period.
Tentatively scheduled around November 10–12, the rally will be held at a large ground in Kolkata capable of hosting tens of thousands of attendees. District units have been instructed to send delegations of booth-level agents, women volunteers, and youth leaders to the rally.
Learn more about voter verification under SIR.
Understanding the SIR Process
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a nationwide exercise conducted periodically by the Election Commission of India to ensure the accuracy of voter rolls. It involves removing duplicate, deceased, or migrated entries and adding newly eligible voters.
While the process is administrative in nature, political parties often perceive it through a strategic lens. The TMC has expressed suspicion that the timing and intensity of the SIR in Bengal could be politically motivated, given the BJP’s emphasis on “cleansing” the voter list.
A senior official of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Office clarified that the SIR will follow due process, with booth-level officers (BLOs) visiting households to verify voter information. Citizens will be given time to raise objections before any deletions or inclusions are finalized.
See the Election Commission’s official notification on roll revision.
TMC’s Strategy: Booth-Level Empowerment
The Trinamool Congress has long relied on its booth-level structure — one of the most extensive in the country — to maintain its dominance in Bengal. During the upcoming SIR, these booth-level agents (BLAs) will be at the heart of the party’s counter-strategy.
“In Bengal, unlike in BJP-ruled Bihar, our organization is far stronger. The BJP will not be able to deploy BLAs in even 40 percent of polling booths,” said a TMC district leader.
The party’s plan includes:
- House-to-house voter verification once the draft electoral roll is published.
- Training programs for BLAs on identifying wrongful deletions.
- Legal assistance cells for citizens whose names are removed without notice.
- Digital grievance forms for reporting voter list discrepancies.
Visit the West Bengal CEO portal for voter roll details.
Political Context and Numbers
In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections, the TMC secured a 47.94% vote share (2.87 crore votes), while the BJP received 38.10% (2.28 crore votes). In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the margin slightly narrowed, with TMC at 45.76% and BJP at 38.73%.
Despite this tightening gap, political analysts believe the SIR process is unlikely to shift the balance dramatically, given the TMC’s deep grassroots presence and welfare-based popularity.
Political scientist Biswanath Chakraborty stated:
“Around 120 constituencies in Bengal, dominated by minority voters and welfare beneficiaries, are comfortably within TMC’s reach. Even if a small percentage of deletions occur, it will not significantly dent their prospects.”
Read the latest West Bengal electoral data.
Opposition’s Take: BJP’s Focus on ‘Fake Voters’
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, views the SIR as a golden opportunity to challenge TMC’s dominance. BJP leaders have claimed that over 15 lakh fake names exist in the voter list, mostly benefitting TMC strongholds.
A state BJP spokesperson commented, “The SIR is not against any party. It is about ensuring fair elections. Trinamool fears it because they thrive on fake and duplicate votes.”
The BJP plans to mobilize its own cadre during the revision to monitor booth-wise verification and register objections wherever irregularities are suspected.
Read about BJP’s recent organisational meetings in Bengal.
Electoral Implications and Minority Vote Factor
The upcoming revision may also have implications for Bengal’s minority vote bank, which forms nearly 28–30% of the state’s electorate. TMC’s social welfare schemes, including Lakshmir Bhandar, Kanyashree, and Aikyashree, have fortified its appeal among these groups.
However, any large-scale deletions in minority-dominated districts like Murshidabad, Malda, North Dinajpur, and Birbhum could spark controversy and mass protests. Civil society groups have already begun mobilizing awareness drives to educate voters about checking their registration status.
Access the Ministry of Minority Affairs data.
Administrative Readiness and EC Monitoring
The Election Commission of India has convened a meeting with all Chief Electoral Officers, including West Bengal’s, to review preparedness for the SIR rollout. Officials have been instructed to ensure transparency and neutral oversight, with strict action against any officer found manipulating the process.
Observers have been deployed in sensitive districts, and the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal has directed the formation of district-level control rooms to assist citizens during verification.
Read official Election Commission circulars.
The Road to 2026: Political Messaging and Mobilisation
With the 2026 Assembly Elections approaching, the SIR debate is transforming into a rhetorical weapon for both sides. TMC is positioning itself as the protector of democratic rights, while BJP is campaigning on voter integrity and fairness.
The November rally, therefore, will mark the beginning of TMC’s year-long pre-election mobilisation campaign — combining public outreach, social media messaging, and welfare narrative consolidation.
“Our goal is simple — no genuine voter should lose their right, and no outsider should manipulate Bengal’s democracy,” said a TMC youth leader.
Read more about political developments in West Bengal.
Public Sentiment and Expert Outlook
Analysts suggest that while the SIR may stir short-term political noise, it is unlikely to shift Bengal’s electoral fundamentals drastically. The TMC’s entrenched welfare networks and Abhishek Banerjee’s image as a decisive young leader may help the party weather administrative hurdles.
However, voter apathy, unemployment, and local governance issues remain potential vulnerabilities that opposition parties may exploit.
“The SIR is being politicised, but the real battleground will still be on economic and governance issues,” noted an expert from the Centre for Political Studies, Kolkata University.
Access detailed socio-political analysis reports.
Conclusion
As the Trinamool Congress marches toward its November rally, led by Abhishek Banerjee, Bengal’s political narrative is set for a fresh phase of confrontation and consolidation. The SIR exercise — an administrative process on paper — has become a symbolic battleground between two competing visions of democracy in the state.
For TMC, the rally is more than a demonstration of strength; it is a reaffirmation of its claim as the defender of Bengal’s democratic rights. For the BJP, it is a reminder that the fight for 2026 has already begun, booth by booth, voter by voter.
In the months ahead, as the voter rolls are revised and campaigns intensify, the political script of Bengal will continue to evolve — with Abhishek Banerjee at the forefront, steering his party through a critical electoral transition.
External Links for Reference:
- Election Commission of India – Electoral Roll Details
- Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal
- PRS Legislative Research – Political and Electoral Studies
- Ministry of Minority Affairs
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