West Bengal: Abhishek Banerjee says questions on SIR were not answered, CEC’s attitude was aggressive

New Delhi/Kolkata. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee issued a strong statement following a meeting with the Election Commission (CEC). He stated that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s attitude was aggressive during the meeting and he did not provide satisfactory answers to questions raised regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal.

No response received on SIR – Abhishek Banerjee
Abhishek Banerjee stated that during the nearly two-hour meeting, a 10-member TMC delegation raised several issues related to the draft voter list, including the question of summoning 13.6 million voters for a hearing. However, according to him, the Election Commission did not provide a concrete response. He stated that questions related to SIR were repeatedly linked to the issue of citizenship, and only procedural responses were given regarding the deletion of names.

‘If there are discrepancies in the list, it will not be accepted’
Abhishek Banerjee clearly stated that if discrepancies are found in the final voter list, his party will not accept it and will fight a legal battle. He alleged that vote theft in the elections is happening not through EVMs, but through the voter list itself.

‘Conspiracy to defame West Bengal’
The TMC leader alleged that West Bengal is being defamed by raising the issue of infiltration. He demanded that the Election Commission disclose how many Bangladeshis or Rohingyas are among the 5.8 million names removed from the draft list.

Vote theft is being committed through the voter list – Abhishek Banerjee
Abhishek Banerjee leveled serious allegations against the Election Commission, saying that vote theft in the country is taking place not through EVMs, but through the voter list itself. After meeting the full bench of the Election Commission on Wednesday, Banerjee said that the Commission failed to address his concerns and that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) behaved aggressively during the meeting. Abhishek Banerjee questioned the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, saying that calling 13.6 million voters for hearings was suspicious.

BLO Honorarium and Allegations Against the Center
TMC sources said that if the Election Commission is concerned about booth-level officers (BLOs), the Chief Election Commissioner should write to the Union Finance Minister demanding the release of ₹2 lakh crore allegedly withheld from West Bengal. The party also stated that the state government will pay honorariums to BLOs.

Demand for Home Hearings for the Elderly and Disabled
The TMC demanded that senior citizens, sick people, and disabled people be provided with the facility to have their hearings at home. The Election Commission stated that voters over 85 years of age or those with sick/disabled voters, upon request, would not be called for in-person hearings.

CEO Office’s Response
Meanwhile, the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)’s office described the complaints filed against election officials as “premeditated and baseless.” The office stated that the SIR process cannot be disrupted by intimidation and that election operations will continue with complete fairness.

Don’t Intimidate, Increase BLO Honorarium – ECI
The Election Commission has issued strict instructions to the West Bengal government to immediately release the increased honorarium approved for Booth Level Officers (BLOs). The Commission issued this clear message after meeting with a high-level delegation from the Trinamool Congress. Taking a firm stance, the Election Commission warned the TMC leadership to refrain from intimidating its grassroots workers engaged in election duty. The Commission clarified that strict action will be taken against those who misbehave with BLOs, observers, or any other election staff or take the law into their own hands. To facilitate the voting process, the Commission has decided to set up polling stations within high-rise buildings, gated societies, and slums for the upcoming Bengal Assembly elections. Meanwhile, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee questioned the administrative process of voter list revision, calling it vote theft. However, the Commission has reiterated its commitment to ensure fair elections.