Kolkata, Dec 29 (NationPress) Trinamool Congress MLA Asit Majumdar took action on Monday to disrupt the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing in Hooghly, West Bengal, insisting that the party's booth-level agents (BLAs) be allowed to attend the proceedings. This incident unfolded just a day after TMC's All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee issued similar directives during a virtual meeting with party BLAs. The hearing was halted for approximately two hours until Majumdar ended his protest, citing humanitarian reasons. Nevertheless, this incident caused significant disruption in the Chinsurah area.

The SIR hearings commenced in West Bengal last Saturday amidst claims of procedural irregularities. Critics have pointed out that notices are being sent indiscriminately, including to voters listed in the 2002 electoral rolls. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding elderly and sick individuals being summoned to far-off centers and made to wait for long durations. The Trinamool Congress has consistently opposed the SIR process.

At around 11 am, Majumdar, the TMC MLA representing Chuchura, along with his supporters, initiated a sit-in protest at the Chinsurah-Mogra block office, effectively bringing the hearings to a standstill. He demanded that hearings occur in the presence of party BLAs and insisted on their entry into the center. If this was not accommodated, he called for a written explanation from the Election Commission. This insistence led to intense exchanges with election officials and a temporary standoff.

During the chaos, the center's gates were closed, leading to long lines of voters outside, many of whom were elderly. A sense of uncertainty loomed over the resumption of the hearings, visibly distressing those in attendance.

In an interview with the media, Majumdar denounced the mismanagement. “Individuals are being summoned without reason. Government workers, pensioners, passport holders, and even those from the 2002 voter list are being called for these hearings. This is unacceptable,” he stated.

He further proclaimed that the hearing process could not advance without the presence of BLAs. “Why are our booth-level agents barred from entry? Let the Commission clarify its stance in writing. We will not permit the removal of a single legitimate voter's name. We will fight as per the directives of our leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee,” Majumdar asserted.

The MLA also threatened to escalate the protest to the Polba BDO and SDO offices and held a phone conversation with the Sub-Divisional Officer from the hearing center. Addressing concerns about the inconvenience caused to voters, he stated, “The Commission is already making life difficult for ordinary citizens. We are here to protect them.”

Senior law enforcement and administrative officials, including Mogra Police Station IC Soumen Biswas and Chinsurah-Mogra BDO Rajiv Poddar, were present and engaged in talks with the MLA. Following these discussions, Majumdar decided to end the protest.

“Many individuals are queuing up. For humanitarian reasons, I have allowed the hearings to proceed. However, if booth-level agents are not permitted inside, the hearings will be halted once more starting Tuesday,” he warned.

On Sunday, Abhishek Banerjee had informed party members during a virtual meeting that the TMC would explore legal avenues if necessary regarding the issue of BLAs' participation during SIR hearings. He also instructed party leaders to establish support camps outside hearing centers for public assistance.