Are Trinamool Ministers Really Threatening Riots Over SIR?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BJP has accused TMC ministers of inciting riots.
- Two ministers were identified in social media videos.
- Concerns raised about law and order in West Bengal.
- Chief Minister Banerjee insists on protecting voters' rights.
- Political tensions are rising ahead of the Special Intensive Revision.
Kolkata, Oct 16 (NationPress) The BJP has leveled serious allegations against two ministers from the Mamata Banerjee government, accusing them of making public threats of riots concerning the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in West Bengal.
BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took to social media to share two videos that purportedly show the ministers making these threats. The ministers in question are Tajmul Hossain, the Minister of State for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department, and Sabina Yasmin, the Minister of State for the Irrigation and Waterways Department.
While IANS was unable to verify the authenticity of the videos, both ministers hail from Malda district, which has a significant minority population. In the videos, they express that there would be severe repercussions if even one voter's name is removed from the electoral rolls after the SIR.
Bhandari questioned, "If the Chief Minister cannot maintain law and order, why should she remain in office? Bengal cannot be a victim of TMC's 'Riot Raj' for the sake of vote bank politics."
This is not an isolated incident; on October 10, Trinamool Congress MP and former minister Partha Bhowmik warned during a public meeting that “West Bengal will be in turmoil if even a single genuine voter's name is removed from the voters' list after the SIR.” He further incited the public to pursue and detain BJP leaders if such deletions occurred.
On October 9, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed the press, stating her firm stance against the removal of names from the voters' list for any specific community. “I urge them (ECI) not to play with fire. West Bengal is still grappling with a crisis due to recent natural disasters, and many individuals lack the necessary documentation for the SIR,” she argued, highlighting the ongoing festive season as a complicating factor.