New Delhi, Dec 31 (NationPress) Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has taken his party's protests against the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll from West Bengal to Delhi, joining Rahul Gandhi in accusing the poll body of “vote chori.”

However, while Rahul's allegations presented a broad, systemic critique of institutions in relation to the upcoming 2024 general elections—including the SIR—Abhishek's statements following a meeting on Wednesday concentrated solely on the revision of the voters’ list in West Bengal, demanding specific technical disclosures from the Election Commission.

At the same time, the Trinamool General Secretary has aligned with National Conference leader and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in dismissing any evidence of manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Interestingly, the Congress expressed concern over Abdullah's dismissal of these EVM allegations.

Meanwhile, leading up to the Bihar Assembly election held this year, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav had softened his rhetoric after suggesting a possible poll boycott amid the SIR process in Bihar.

Although he participated in a statewide “voter empowerment” initiative with Rahul Gandhi, he did not echo the Congress's heightened allegations regarding the electoral rolls being manipulated to favor the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Thus, various and often conflicting issues concerning electoral integrity are being raised even as the poll body continues its operations.

Abhishek asserted that had the Congress paid more attention to the preparation of electoral rolls, it might have mitigated its losses in states like Maharashtra and Haryana. He urged other Opposition parties to heed his call and join in the criticism of the Election Commission. Like Rahul, Abhishek accused the poll body of allowing or failing to prevent alleged “vote theft” and demanded accountability and transparency from the Commission.

While the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha presented allegations through media addresses, the Trinamool General Secretary took the initiative to meet with an Election Commission panel directly on at least two occasions, including Wednesday. In contrast, Rahul refrained from pursuing any procedural actions, asserting that his role was merely to inform, while Abhishek hinted at potential parliamentary or legal recourse.

In August 2025, the Congress leader alleged that his party had uncovered evidence of electoral fraud relating to the 2024 general election, frequently using the phrase “vote chori.” He referred to a “full-scale assault” on institutional frameworks, indicating that various agencies had been weaponized; he pointed to specific irregularities such as discrepancies in the voters’ list across certain constituencies, mentioning that the Congress had not received satisfactory answers from the Election Commission.

The ECI later responded in a press briefing, refuting the allegations and clarifying technical issues—such as duplications and house-number discrepancies—while defending the integrity of the voter rolls and the revision process.

Abhishek Banerjee scheduled an appointment and led a ten-member Trinamool delegation to the Election Commission in Delhi, where he held a press briefing. He reiterated the term “vote chori,” claiming that the Commission provided “no concrete answers to anything” apart from clarification on a few points.

It remains to be seen whether any other political party will align with this narrative in accusing the poll body of misconduct or proceed to the polls after lodging a formal protest, similar to the Opposition in Bihar.