Is Bengal SIR: Trinamool Finally Ahead of BJP in BLA Appointments?
Synopsis
In a remarkable turnaround, the Trinamool Congress has overtaken the BJP in the race for Booth-Level Agent appointments during the Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal. With significant applications filed, this development could reshape the political landscape ahead of the upcoming elections.
Key Takeaways
Trinamool Congress has surpassed the BJP in BLA applications.
Total BLA applications stand at 127,242 from all parties.
The SIR process began on November 4 and will conclude by March .
Voters from the 2002 electoral list do not need additional documents.
BLA-1 and BLA-2 serve different roles within the electoral system.
Kolkata, Nov 10 (NationPress) After holding the top spot in West Bengal for an extended period regarding Booth-Level Agent (BLA) appointments for the current Special Intensive Revision (SIR) led by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Trinamool Congress has surged ahead.
As of Sunday afternoon, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has logged a total of 43,069 BLA applications, compared to the BJP's 41,405.
While the Trinamool Congress leads in BLA-2 applications, the BJP retains the edge in BLA-1 appointments.
To date, the CEO's office has recorded 42,906 BLA-2 applications from the Trinamool Congress against the BJP's 41,067. In contrast, for BLA-1 applications, the CEO's office has received 338 from the BJP and 163 from the Trinamool Congress.
A BLA-1 serves as a representative for their political party within an Assembly constituency, while a BLA-2 functions as the party's representative for a specific polling booth.
The CPI(M) ranks third with 32,221 BLA applications, comprising 32,021 for BLA-2s and 200 for BLA-1s.
Meanwhile, the Congress stands fourth with 9,286 BLA applications in total, which includes 9,074 for BLA-2s and 212 for BLA-1s.
Overall, the CEO's office has received 1,27,242 BLA applications from all registered political parties, consisting of 1,26,186 for BLA-2s and 1,056 for BLA-1s.
The initial phase of the three-part SIR in West Bengal commenced on November 4, with the entire process anticipated to conclude by March next year. The previous SIR in West Bengal took place in 2002.
According to the electoral roll as of October 27 this year, the total number of electors in the state is 7,66,37,529.
Voters whose names or their parents' names appeared on the electoral list in 2002 must complete the enumeration forms and submit them.
These voters will not be required to provide any additional supporting documents to maintain their names on the electoral roll.
Conversely, voters whose names or their parents' names were absent from the 2002 voter list must submit any of the 11 documents specified by the ECI to retain their names in the electoral rolls.
Point of View
The ongoing competition between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP highlights the evolving political dynamics in West Bengal. As the state gears up for elections, the significance of these appointments cannot be understated. The results of this Special Intensive Revision will significantly impact voter engagement and party representation, ensuring a closely-fought contest ahead.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of BLA appointments?
BLA appointments are crucial for political parties as they determine representation at the grassroots level, influencing voter outreach and engagement.
What does BLA-1 and BLA-2 represent?
BLA-1 represents a party in an Assembly constituency, while BLA-2 represents the party at a specific polling booth.
When did the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) start?
The first stage of the SIR in West Bengal began on November 4 and is expected to conclude by March next year.
How many total BLA applications have been received so far?
The CEO's office has received a total of 127,242 BLA applications from all registered political parties.
What must voters do to retain their names in the electoral roll?
Voters from the 2002 list need to fill out enumeration forms, while others must submit specified documents to retain their names.
