NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday wrote to the Election Commission, alleging ‘grave conspiracy’ against the democratic rights of the people of Bengal. She also demanded a halt to fake voter entries in the SIR process ahead of the state assembly elections.“I have written to the Chief Election Commissioner, raising serious alarm over the grave conspiracy being orchestrated against the democratic rights of the people of Bengal,” she wrote in a post on X. In her letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Banerjee alleged that the BJP in coordination with the ECI, was attempting to manipulate the state’s electoral rolls. She said reports indicate that large numbers of Form 6 applications were being submitted by BJP agents at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer and across several districts.She wrote, “These do not seem to be routine applications for voter inclusion but a mischievous ploy to include non-residents in the electoral roll. There are serious concerns that these applications may pertain to individuals who are not genuine residents of Bengal and have no legitimate connection to the state. Similar patterns were reportedly observed prior to elections in Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi.”Banerjee also highlighted the human cost of the “Special Intensive Revision” (SIR) process, which she said had caused hardship for millions and tragically led to over 200 deaths.She added, “It is a matter of deep concern that a constitutional authority such as the Election Commission of India appears to be undermining the democratic and fundamental rights of the people of Bengal. The flawed and seemingly targeted ‘Special Intensive Revision’ has caused severe hardship to millions, pushing many to the brink of disenfranchisement. Tragically, over 200 people have reportedly lost their lives in this process. It is deeply distressing that even such developments have not elicited a more humane and responsive approach from ECI.”She warned that the ECI appeared to be fast-tracking these bulk applications, describing the process as illegal and contrary to Supreme Court directives. “This is not only illegal and against the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, but a direct assault on free and fair elections in Bengal. I have demanded that the ECI immediately stop this undemocratic exercise, strictly follow the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s directions and ensure that no fake voters are added after the final electoral roll was published on 28.02.2026. Bengal will not allow its democracy to be stolen in broad daylight. The people of Bengal are watching.”Reiterating her stance against the BJP, Banerjee accused the party of fostering divisions on religious lines. While addressing an election rally at Charakdanga Ground, she said, “They create divisions in the name of Hindu and Muslim. If you look at the pictures of people standing in line, you will see many women wearing sindoor among them. They have considered minorities as their enemies from the very beginning. They bring money from Saudi Arabia and embrace them, but in India, they discriminate against them.”The state will conduct elections in two phases, on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes for both phases scheduled for May 4.
