Is the Govt Shielding Illegal Voters? BJP's Tarun Chugh Challenges Bengal CM Over SIR Claims

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Tarun Chugh accuses Mamata Banerjee of protecting illegal voters.
- SIR process is seen as politically motivated by opposition.
- BJP claims foreign nationals' inclusion threatens democracy.
- Public opinion in Bihar suggests diminishing momentum for the SIR issue.
- Political leaders urged to engage in constructive dialogue.
New Delhi, Oct 10 (NationPress) In a fiery political confrontation regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Friday accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her government of safeguarding illegal voters to maintain their vote banks.
Tarun Chugh asserted that permitting foreign nationals to appear on voter lists poses a serious threat to India's democratic integrity.
“The Mamata Banerjee government, through its ruthless and negligent actions, is attempting to shield illegal voters and utilize them as vote banks. How can foreign nationals be permitted in India's voter lists and sway the formation of government? This constitutes a direct assault on the nation’s democratic framework and integrity...” Chugh proclaimed.
In reaction to CM Banerjee’s claims that the Centre aims to use SIR as a façade for executing an NRC-like initiative, BJP spokesperson Yasir Jilani accused opposition figures of engaging in opportunistic politics.
“Be it Mamata Banerjee, Tejashwi Yadav, or Rahul Gandhi, these politicians possess a very calculated mindset. They latch onto issues and exploit them continually. Now it’s Mamata Banerjee’s turn. These leaders harbor a self-serving mindset, particularly as their vote bank among opposition supporters is incredibly sensitive...” Jilani stated.
Meanwhile, BJP’s Bihar state chief Dilip Jaiswal added his commentary, highlighting the electoral response in Bihar.
“The people of Bihar have made their position unequivocally clear. Bihar’s voters have effectively deflated the SIR debate, akin to puncturing a tire. Despite extensive campaigning by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav across Bihar, with over a crore voters firmly backing the Election Commission’s directive, this issue has lost its traction...” Jaiswal commented.
Earlier, CM Banerjee had launched a pointed attack on the Election Commission and the BJP, alleging that they are “playing with fire” by undertaking what she characterized as a politically motivated revision of electoral rolls. She asserted that the SIR process is being manipulated to disenfranchise legitimate voters and facilitate an NRC-style cleansing.
She also accused ECI officials of operating under political pressure, influencing her state’s officials even prior to her administration’s term and the announcement of the schedule for Bengal’s Assembly elections.