Is the BJP MP Right in Blasting Abhishek Banerjee Over ECI Charges?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BJP MP Yogender Chandolia challenges the Trinamool Congress on their electoral allegations.
- The Trinamool Congress is accused of using confusion tactics to retain power.
- The SIR aims to ensure voter integrity by removing deceased individuals from the rolls.
- Political narratives play a crucial role in shaping public perception ahead of elections.
- Electoral manipulation claims are part of a broader strategy by opposition parties.
New Delhi, Jan 1 (NationPress) BJP MP Yogender Chandolia criticized the Trinamool Congress on Thursday for lacking a solid agenda and focusing solely on maintaining power. He accused the party of promoting a “vote theft” narrative in anticipation of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, aiming to sow confusion among the electorate.
The Trinamool Congress has been persistently attacking the Central Government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of voter rolls in West Bengal, alleging that the names of legitimate voters are being removed. The party has also claimed that the BJP is “misusing” constitutional bodies to manipulate the electoral process.
Previously, Abhishek Banerjee, a leader of the Trinamool Congress, reiterated these accusations after his party’s meeting with the ECI. Following the discussion, Banerjee alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar became agitated during their conversation and directed accusations at party members.
In response to these allegations, Chandolia informed IANS that the Trinamool Congress is raising concerns selectively, only in West Bengal.
“Abhishek Banerjee should be aware of the situation across the country. Approximately three crore votes are being removed in regions like Uttar Pradesh, governed by Yogi Adityanath. Why is he only raising concerns in Bengal, where the votes of Rohingyas have increased? Why worry about deleting the votes of deceased individuals? They are primarily concerned about their power being threatened and are attempting to create such an atmosphere,” he stated.
Chandolia further emphasized that similar attempts to fabricate a narrative around electoral manipulation have been unsuccessful in other regions.
“The opposition tried to establish the ‘vote theft’ narrative in Bihar as well. The people there rejected it, indicating that it will not succeed. People indeed want the names of the deceased and infiltrators to be removed, and the SIR is addressing that, so what’s the issue?” he questioned.
The BJP MP also criticized the broader opposition, asserting that it lacks unity and direction.
“The opposition has no coherent strategy or agenda against the Narendra Modi government. They deceive each other. I am confident that in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, Congress, and CPI(M) will run separately. They unite solely to challenge PM Modi, but ultimately, when it comes to forming a government, they quarrel. They have no shared agenda; their only goal is to seize power,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee alleged a deliberate conspiracy to tarnish West Bengal using what he termed a saffron-manufactured “bogey of infiltration”.
He challenged Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to publicly disclose the list of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas reportedly found among the 58 lakh names removed from the draft electoral roll.
Banerjee also questioned the Election Commission’s decision to retrospectively introduce what he called “logical discrepancies”, which have led to 1.36 crore voters being summoned for hearings on various grounds, including mismatches in parental names and significant age gaps between parents and children.