Mamata Banerjee Concludes Indefinite Sit-in Against SIR in Kolkata
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Kolkata, March 10 (NationPress) On Tuesday, West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ended her indefinite anti-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) sit-in demonstration in Kolkata's Esplanade, which commenced on February 6.
During an announcement on Tuesday evening, the Chief Minister stated that the Supreme Court's ruling on SIR had provided further opportunities for justice. Following a request from Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, she chose to cease the protest.
"I could have maintained the sit-in for as long as 50 days if I desired. Previously, I undertook a hunger strike lasting 26 days regarding land acquisition in Singur, Hooghly. However, due to the Supreme Court's decision on the SIR and Abhishek Banerjee's appeal, I have opted to stop my demonstration. Our campaign against SIR will persist until the people receive complete justice," she emphasized.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the next hearing in the Supreme Court is set for March 25, and there is a chance that polling dates for the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal may be declared by March 15.
"The matter will rest with the Supreme Court then; this chapter is far from over. The Court's observations today were based on our input," she asserted.
She further criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar for allegedly attempting to postpone the upcoming elections in West Bengal.
"The Supreme Court has acknowledged that it will treat the West Bengal situation as a special case. The Court can include voters' names in the list even a day before the polls," the Chief Minister stated.
Abhishek Banerjee remarked that the Supreme Court had criticized the ECI on Tuesday.
"The Calcutta High Court has been instructed by the apex court to establish an Appellate Tribunal Bench comprising former judges, allowing those whose names are removed a chance to reapply. This is a triumph for democracy," he added.
He also mentioned that during a press conference earlier on Tuesday, the CEC evaded numerous inquiries from journalists.