Why Did BJP Order Its Bengal Leaders to Avoid SIR Predictions?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BJP's central leadership has directed its state leaders to avoid SIR-related predictions.
- This decision aims to prevent any advantage to the Trinamool Congress.
- The importance of strengthening the booth-level network was emphasized during the meeting.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticized the BJP's claims regarding illegal voters.
- The assembly elections are approaching, and accurate voters' lists are critical.
Kolkata, Oct 10 (NationPress) The BJP's central leadership has instructed its state leaders in West Bengal to avoid making any predictions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) that could potentially benefit the Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
This directive was issued during an important meeting held in Kolkata on Friday, attended by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, who are now overseeing the party's campaign for the upcoming assembly elections next year.
The meeting also included the party's central observers for West Bengal, Sunil Bansal and Amit Malviya, along with key state leaders.
A member of the party’s state committee expressed that this instruction came after several leaders made claims regarding the removal of over a crore of illegal voters, primarily illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators, from the voters’ list post-SIR.
In response, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that such predictions by BJP leaders indicated that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was acting under the influence of the BJP and the Union government.
“The central leadership has warned against any statements from state leaders that might provide political leverage to the Trinamool Congress and the Chief Minister. Thus, they have been directed to refrain from making SIR-related predictions,” noted the state committee member.
During the meeting, the central leadership encouraged state leaders to focus on bolstering the organizational framework, particularly the booth-level network, ensuring that agents are designated for every booth in preparation for the SIR.
Moreover, the central leadership outlined the responsibilities of booth-level agents to facilitate the commission's efforts in creating an accurate voters’ list ahead of the assembly elections scheduled for next year.