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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday launched one of her sharpest attacks yet on the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to systematically delete the names of genuine voters from electoral rolls. Displaying photographs on her mobile phone from the state secretariat Nabanna, Mamata claimed that thousands of voter-related forms were being transported in vehicles with the intention of erasing legitimate voter data.
“This is the reality of what is happening right now,” she said, holding up images that, according to her, showed bags filled with files and documents. “These are not weapons or explosives. These are people’s democratic rights. This is information theft. This is democracy theft.”
Suspicious Vehicle in Bankura Triggers Political Storm
The Chief Minister’s remarks come in the wake of a dramatic incident reported from Bankura’s Khatra Cinema More area. Local Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers allegedly intercepted a vehicle after finding its movement suspicious. Upon stopping the car, they reportedly discovered nearly 4,000 Form 7 documents—used to delete names from voter lists.
As the situation escalated, three individuals inside the vehicle fled the spot, while two were detained by the police. According to information shared by the state leadership, all five individuals were associated with the BJP. One of the detainees was identified as Prabir Ghosh, the husband of a former BJP mandal president from Taladanga Gram Panchayat under the Taldangra Assembly constituency.
Mamata Banerjee alleged that the forms were only a fraction of the total. “Around nine to ten thousand forms were being carried in vehicles to delete names of genuine voters,” she said. “File after file, sack after sack of paper—this is not accidental.”
“Living Citizens Being Declared Dead”
In an emotionally charged address, the Chief Minister accused her political rivals of attempting to erase the identity of living citizens. “They are trying to kill people on paper. Living voters are being declared dead. Is this not the theft of rights?” she asked.
She further alleged that similar operations had taken place in Malda and other districts, without the knowledge of ordinary citizens. “People didn’t even know their names were being deleted. This is being done silently, behind closed doors.”
Strong Instructions to Administration and Police
Mamata issued clear directives to administrative officials, including Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs), and police personnel. She urged them to act strictly within the law and without fear.
“If any unauthorised documents or bulk papers are found, seize them immediately,” she instructed police station in-charges. “File FIRs wherever illegal activity is detected. Democracy cannot survive if officials remain silent spectators.”
She also appealed to Booth Level Agents (BLA-1 and BLA-2) to stay alert, stressing that maintaining peace in the state was her constitutional responsibility. “No one is bringing arms in these sacks. They are bringing papers to snatch voting rights. That is equally dangerous,” she said.
Allegations of Outsiders and a Larger National Pattern
The Chief Minister alleged that a larger, nationwide pattern was at play. Drawing parallels with Maharashtra, Haryana, and Bihar, she claimed similar strategies had been used in those states. “They couldn’t catch it there. This time, we have caught it in Bengal,” she asserted.
Mamata accused the BJP of attempting to capture Bengal by importing voters from other states. She claimed that in 2024, certificates were issued to certain individuals by officials from Odisha without informing the local police. “If you import criminals and manipulate votes, what will happen during elections?” she questioned.
She also issued a pointed message to leaders from other states. “Come to Bengal, enjoy our sweets, live peacefully. But don’t allow Bengalis to be harassed in your states while deleting our people’s names here,” she said.
“Conspiracy from Delhi to Delete Legitimate Voters”
According to Mamata Banerjee, the alleged manipulation was being orchestrated from Delhi. She claimed that under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, names of legitimate voters were being removed on a massive scale.
“Out of 54 lakh deleted names, most belong to genuine voters,” she alleged. She also questioned claims that only three objections had been filed. “Is that even believable?” she asked, hinting at suppression of grievances.
She reassured members of the Matua community, urging them to register without fear. “They don’t need to write that they came from Bangladesh in 2024. That has no value. Go to the BLO office and register your name,” she said.
Rights Denied, Transparency Missing
Mamata questioned why voters were not informed about the reasons behind the deletion of their names. “Why doesn’t a citizen have the right to know why their name was removed?” she asked.
She pointed out that individuals whose names were removed had the legal right to submit Forms 6 and 7. “Cases are pending in court. Follow the law. Don’t act unconstitutionally,” she warned.
She further alleged that even after submitting all documents, voters were being declared ineligible without explanation. “Even Electoral Registration Officers don’t know why names are being deleted,” she claimed.
Prominent Names Allegedly Affected
In a startling claim, Mamata said that even well-known personalities were not spared. She named poet Joy Goswami, actor and former MP Dev, former cricketer Laxmi Ratan Shukla, and Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami as individuals whose names were allegedly removed from voter lists.
She also expressed outrage over Nobel laureate Amartya Sen being described as a non-citizen. “If Rabindranath Tagore were alive today, would his name also be deleted?” she asked.
“One Nation, One Party?”
Taking a swipe at the BJP’s political philosophy, Mamata said, “Those who talk about ‘One Nation, One Election’ actually want ‘One Nation, One Party’.”
She accused the Election Commission of functioning like a “WhatsApp Commission,” changing instructions based on political convenience. “Is the Commission loyal to democracy or to the BJP?” she asked.
Serious Allegations Against Institutions
Mamata went on to allege that the Election Commission was being blackmailed using files and pressure tactics, with money and family postings involved. She claimed micro-observers were acting as BJP agents and even accused a Fort William commandant of working for the SIR process and the BJP.
“Catch real criminals,” she urged security forces. “Coal, hawala, border smuggling—who controls customs, CISF, airports, and the army? These are under the Centre.”
Women Voters Allegedly Targeted
One of the most serious allegations was that women voters were being disproportionately targeted. Mamata claimed that married women who had changed their surnames were being flagged by an AI-based system as “logical discrepancies.”
“Fifty-four lakh names have been removed illegally and unethically, without giving people a chance to explain,” she said. “This AI tool, created by the BJP and used by the Election Commission from Delhi, is erasing women from democracy.”
Final Warning
Mamata Banerjee concluded with a stern warning. “You cannot win Bengal through deceit, intimidation, or manipulation. Power does not give you the right to destroy democracy.”
As the political temperature rises, her allegations are likely to intensify the debate around electoral transparency, voter rights, and the role of constitutional institutions in India’s democracy.
