Mamata Banerjee Slams Election Commission Over SIR Exercise, Alleges Harassment of Bengal Voters

South 24 Parganas, Jan 2026 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, alleging that the constitutional body was functioning in an arbitrary and opaque manner. Speaking at a public gathering in Gangasagar after laying the foundation stone for the Ganganagar Bridge over the Muriganga River, Banerjee accused the ECI of “operating on WhatsApp” and undermining democratic norms.

Expressing concern over the manner in which the SIR exercise is being conducted, the Chief Minister said she was deeply saddened by the situation. “The Election Commission is operating on WhatsApp. One day, such an Election Commission will disappear,” she remarked, echoing allegations earlier made by Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. She alleged that the voter revision process was being misused to harass the people of Bengal.

Referring to claims made by Abhishek Banerjee, the Chief Minister highlighted serious allegations linked to the SIR drive. According to the TMC leadership, the exercise has allegedly led to 45 deaths, the hospitalization of six individuals, and suicide attempts by 29 booth-level officers (BLOs). Banerjee accused the ECI of failing to respond to basic questions raised by the party and said its policies were being dictated informally rather than through established procedures.

Mamata Banerjee further alleged that names were being arbitrarily deleted from voter lists, causing distress among citizens. “People above the age of 85 are being summoned, some even on oxygen support. Pregnant women are also being called. After living in this country for decades, do they still need to prove they are voters and citizens?” she asked, questioning the intent and sensitivity of the exercise. She asserted that Bengal had never bowed to pressure and would not do so in the future.

Emphasising the state’s inclusive and pluralistic ethos, the Chief Minister said Bengal represents unity in diversity, where people of different faiths coexist peacefully. She warned that attempts were being made to create unrest and raise “false questions” as elections draw closer.

On the development front, Banerjee said the Ganganagar Bridge project, with an estimated cost of around ₹1,700 crore, would be completed within the next two to three years. She described the bridge as a vital infrastructure project that would significantly improve connectivity and boost regional development.