New Delhi, Feb 4 (NationPress) The electoral roster of West Bengal allegedly comprises Bangladeshi infiltrators, Rohingyas, and fraudulent voters, asserted the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Samik Bhattacharya on Wednesday, emphasizing that these intruders will be “detected, deleted, and deported”.

The Rajya Sabha MP made these remarks during a media briefing at the party headquarters in New Delhi, alongside Sukanta Majumdar, the Lok Sabha MP from West Bengal’s Balurghat constituency and Union Minister of State.

Addressing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s visit to the national capital from February 1-4, Majumdar described it as a “drama”, performed first at state guest houses, then in front of the Election Commission, and later before the Supreme Court.

“Mamata Banerjee’s antics are solely for the cameras, aimed at drawing attention to herself. Wherever she goes, things are organized behind the scenes, yet her efforts have completely backfired,” he remarked.

“Typically, the Supreme Court does not directly instruct a Chief Minister to remain silent or to limit her remarks. Nevertheless, in this instance, one of the justices subtly conveyed to Mamata Banerjee to ‘shut up’,” he added.

“Mamata Banerjee must clarify how many District Magistrates or district administrations in West Bengal informed the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), and how many death certificates were submitted to the Election Commission,” Majumdar inquired, referring to the ruling party Trinamool Congress chief’s persistent claims about SIR-related fatalities.

During her visit, the Chief Minister showcased family members allegedly affected by SIR emergencies before the CEC and his colleagues on Monday, and subsequently, the media the following day.

On Wednesday, Mamata decided to present her case in the Supreme Court against the SIR initiative, surrounded by numerous lawyers.

Highlighting that the exercise is ongoing in 12 states nationwide, Bhattacharya noted that nowhere else has there been such an uproar as seen in West Bengal.

He recalled that in August 2005, the Chief Minister herself demanded voter identity cards. Allegations were made that the voter lists were being populated only with the names of Bangladeshi infiltrators, and that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) intended to contest elections using such manipulated lists. Now, she has come to Delhi to protest against the SIR process in West Bengal, Bhattacharya pointed out.

On the subject of alleged infiltration, dismissing Mamata’s claims that border patrolling is the Centre’s responsibility, the state BJP chief emphasized that West Bengal shares an approximately 2,200-kilometre-long border with Bangladesh. Much of this border is porous and interspersed with numerous water bodies.

He underscored that no single force can independently prevent illegal infiltration. A collaborative approach is essential, merging political will with public awareness.

The BJP leaders further asserted that Booth Level Officers (BLO) are being threatened; an attempted attack on the husband of a female BLO was also reported. BJP Booth Level Agents (BLA) and party karyakartas are being obstructed from even submitting Form-7, they claimed.

“BLOs are under threat, and the husband of a female BLO was subjected to a life-threatening attack,” stated Bhattacharya.

The Rajya Sabha MP claimed that since 2016, over 300 BJP workers have faced violence. “During the 2021 Assembly elections alone, 56 karyakartas were killed in just 27 days, including women. Several female karyakartas openly reported being victims of gang rape,” he added.

Both BJP leaders contended that the Trinamool Congress has lost its popular support, which is why it is now resorting to suppression and coercive politics by elevating the SIR issue in the Supreme Court and elsewhere.