Trinamool Congress Protests in Hasnabad Over Alleged Electoral Roll Manipulation
Synopsis
In Hasnabad, Bengal, Trinamool Congress members protested against the alleged targeted removal of voters’ names from the electoral rolls. The demonstration escalated into tyre burning and slogans against the Election Commission, highlighting concerns over electoral fairness.
Key Takeaways
Protests in Hasnabad: Demonstrations by Trinamool Congress against alleged voter list manipulation.
Tyres Burnt: Activists engaged in disruptive protests, blocking roads.
Claims of Conspiracy: Allegations of a coordinated effort by BJP and ECI to disenfranchise minority voters.
Voter List Omissions: Significant number of voters missing from Basirhat subdivision.
Political Tensions: Rising tensions between Trinamool Congress and BJP in West Bengal.
Kolkata, March 1 (NationPress) The Trinamool Congress organized a demonstration in Hasnabad, located in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, in response to what they termed the targeted removal of names from the final electoral rolls, as reported by police on Sunday.
On Saturday evening, local leaders and activists from the Trinamool Congress set fire to tyres on the streets and shouted slogans denouncing the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Protesters also torched an effigy representing the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari.
The Lebukhali Road in the area was obstructed due to the protests, causing traffic to halt. Eventually, police intervened to restore order.
Trinamool Congress representatives contended that the names of legitimate voters had been deliberately erased from the voter list.
They claimed, "The ECI has systematically targeted booths with a minority population, removing their names. Approximately 400 minority voters from booth number 111 in Sahapur have been excluded from the final list. This conspiracy involving the BJP and the Election Commission will not be tolerated under any circumstances," the Trinamool Congress stressed.
The final voter list was published in West Bengal on Saturday following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, leading to widespread discontent and protests across various regions of the state.
A total of 16,125 voters were reported missing from the Basirhat subdivision. The area in Hasnabad, where the protest took place, also falls under the Basirhat South Assembly constituency.
Local sources indicated that out of 1,065 voters in booth number 111 of Sahapur under Basirhat South Assembly, 400 were marked as 'deleted' in the final electoral records.
Shahjahan Moral, the Trinamool Congress president for booth number 111 in Sahapur, told local journalists, "The names of roughly 400 minorities in this booth were omitted from the voter list published by the Election Commission. In contrast, the names of 120 Hindu voters remain. This action was taken because it is a booth with a minority majority. We are protesting this injustice."
In response to these accusations, Palash Sarkar, president of the BJP's youth wing in Basirhat, commented, "Regardless of how much the Trinamool protests or opposes the SIR, I want to clarify that only the names of legitimate voters will be included. The Trinamool is upset because names of illegal voters, which form its vote bank, have been excluded from the list."
Point of View
It's essential to recognize the complexity of the situation in Hasnabad, where the Trinamool Congress asserts that names of eligible voters, particularly from minority communities, have been purposely removed from the electoral rolls. Meanwhile, the BJP defends the integrity of the electoral process, emphasizing the inclusion of only legal voters. This conflict underscores the ongoing tensions in West Bengal's political landscape.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What sparked the protests by Trinamool Congress in Hasnabad?
The protests were triggered by allegations of targeted removal of names from the final electoral rolls, particularly affecting minority voters.
How many voters were reported missing from the Basirhat subdivision?
A total of 16,125 voters were reported missing from the Basirhat subdivision, with significant omissions in Hasnabad.
What actions did the protesters take during the demonstration?
Protesters burnt tyres, blocked roads, and raised slogans against the Election Commission of India.
What is the stance of the BJP regarding these protests?
The BJP claims that only the names of legitimate voters are included in the electoral rolls and that the Trinamool is upset over the exclusion of illegal voters.
What do the Trinamool Congress leaders allege about the voter list changes?
They allege that approximately 400 minority voters were deliberately removed from booth number 111 in Sahapur, which they claim is a minority-dominated area.
