Kejriwal Alleges Voter Roll Conspiracy in Bengal, Urges Support for Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata, April 2026 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday launched a blistering attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India, accusing them of conspiring to delete nearly 2.7 million names from West Bengal’s voter list under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Addressing a high-voltage election rally in Ballygunge, Kejriwal alleged that the exercise was part of a “larger game plan” to target citizens’ identity documents and suppress voter participation ahead of the Assembly elections. He warned that such actions could undermine democratic rights and called upon people to remain alert and united.

Kejriwal also strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the deployment of nearly 3.5 lakh security personnel across the state for the elections. Questioning the scale of the deployment, he termed it an “insult” to the people of West Bengal. “For an Assembly election, such a massive presence of forces—what does it signify? Are the people of Bengal being treated like criminals?” he asked, suggesting that the move was intended to create fear among voters.

Throwing his weight behind West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Kejriwal urged voters to support the Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidates. “Go and tell everyone in your neighbourhood—your friends, relatives and colleagues—to vote for TMC. Didi must win this battle,” he said, portraying the election as a fight to safeguard democracy and constitutional rights.

The AAP leader claimed that if the BJP were to come to power in the state, essential welfare benefits could be jeopardised. He warned that documents such as ration cards might be cancelled and alleged that only Mamata Banerjee could ensure protection for the common people. He also accused the BJP of bringing in “outsiders” to influence the electoral process, pointing to the presence of Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states campaigning in West Bengal.

Kejriwal further alleged large-scale misuse of central investigative agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He claimed that these institutions were being used as political tools to target opposition leaders. Recalling his own experience, Kejriwal said he had been jailed for six months in what he described as a “false” corruption case. “The court later said all allegations were baseless. But they tried to silence me,” he said.

Continuing his attack, he accused the BJP of engaging in vindictive politics and attempting to destabilise opposition governments. He claimed that developmental work carried out during his tenure as Delhi Chief Minister had been reversed after the BJP gained power. He also accused the Prime Minister of failing to deliver on promises, including financial assistance schemes announced before elections.

Raising concerns over electoral integrity, Kejriwal alleged irregularities in voter lists, claiming that fake voters were being added while genuine voters were being removed. He further alleged that individuals from other states were being brought into West Bengal to cast votes, calling it a deliberate attempt to manipulate election results.

In a sharp and controversial remark, Kejriwal said, “The Prime Minister has three friends — the ED, the CBI, and Gyanesh Kumar,” implying undue influence over investigative and administrative systems.

Despite the intense criticism, Kejriwal praised Mamata Banerjee’s resilience, stating that she continues to face pressure from multiple fronts, including central agencies and political opponents. He expressed confidence that she would emerge victorious due to strong grassroots support and public trust. “Everyone is after her, yet she stands firm and continues to win. That is the strength of the people behind her,” he said.

He also added a cultural note, expressing belief that Banerjee’s leadership draws strength from public faith and spiritual support. “She will win because she has the blessings of Goddess Kali,” he remarked, invoking local sentiments.

The first phase of polling in West Bengal, held on April 23, recorded an impressive voter turnout of 92.35 percent, indicating enthusiastic participation by the electorate. The voting process was conducted peacefully across constituencies amid tight security arrangements.

With the second phase of polling scheduled for April 29 and counting of votes set for May 4, the political atmosphere in West Bengal is becoming increasingly charged. Major political parties are intensifying their campaigns, making their final appeals to voters in what is shaping up to be a closely contested and high-stakes election.

As the campaign enters its final stretch, Kejriwal’s remarks have added a new dimension to the political discourse, highlighting concerns over electoral fairness, governance, and the role of central institutions in the democratic process.