Is Trinamool Mocking the EC While Shielding Infiltrators?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BJP intensifies criticism of Trinamool Congress over SIR.
- Allegations of protecting illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators.
- Concerns raised about voter rights and electoral integrity.
- TMC's response involves claims of exclusionary practices.
- SIR is active in multiple states, raising political tensions.
New Delhi, Nov 29 (NationPress) The BJP has escalated its criticism of the Trinamool Congress regarding its opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. Senior leaders from the party have accused the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of attempting to shield illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators while claiming to defend voter rights.
In response to the Trinamool delegation's visit to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday, BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain stated that the party is working to undermine a fair electoral process for its own political advantage.
Speaking to IANS, Hussain remarked, “The TMC is making a mockery of the Election Commission. Their agenda during the EC visit was merely to make unfounded allegations, claiming that the commission is complicit in wrongdoing and not acting impartially. They are only issuing statements without any factual basis.”
He also noted that while the SIR process proceeded without issue in Bihar, the Trinamool's reaction in West Bengal stemmed from concerns that it could negatively affect their vote bank.
“Their only objective is to protect illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. In Bihar, the names removed from the voter list included deceased individuals, those who relocated, or were Bangladeshis. The TMC continuously seeks to shield these infiltrators,” Hussain asserted.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari echoed these sentiments, defending the SIR initiative as a standard procedure carried out by the Election Commission to maintain the integrity of electoral rolls.
“The SIR will proceed. Any invalid votes discovered will be annulled, while erroneously deleted valid votes will be reinstated. Those who oppose this will face consequences from the public,” Tiwari stated.
This response follows a meeting where a delegation of ten Trinamool MPs approached the Election Commission, alleging that the SIR in West Bengal is an exclusionary tactic designed to “quietly push Bengalis out.” They also raised concerns over approximately 40 alleged deaths linked to the SIR, accusing the poll panel chief of having “blood on his hands.”
The SIR is currently active in 12 States and Union Territories, including West Bengal, following the completion of the same process in Bihar.
Led by Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, the Trinamool team included Lok Sabha MPs Mahua Moitra, Satabdi Roy, Kalyan Banerjee, Pratima Mondal, and Sajda Ahmed, along with Rajya Sabha MPs Dola Sen, Mamata Thakur, Saket Gokhale, and Prakash Chik Barik.