‘Playing With Fire’: SIR Stir Erupts In Bengal As Mamata Targets CEO, BJP Demands Action

SIR Stir Erupts In Bengal: Mamata Banerjee Targets CEO Over Electoral Roll Revision, BJP Demands Action Ahead Of 2026 Elections

Political tensions in West Bengal have escalated as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls prepares to roll out, igniting a fiery confrontation between the state government and the Election Commission. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sharply criticized the SIR process, specifically targeting Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal, alleging that the exercise is a front for implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Mamata Banerjee has warned of a large-scale political movement against the SIR, claiming that the process threatens to exclude genuine voters. “Under the guise of SIR, there is an attempt to delete genuine voters. How can the Assam government send notifications to voters in Bengal?” she asked, accusing the BJP of “playing with fire.” These statements reflect the Trinamool Congress’ determination to resist the process, setting the stage for widespread political mobilization across the state.

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Meanwhile, the BJP has responded with equal intensity. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the SIR could lead to the deletion of around one crore names from the voter list. In a formal letter to the Election Commission, Adhikari demanded action against Mamata Banerjee, claiming she is intimidating officials. He also urged the provision of Central Security to the CEO to safeguard him against threats amid growing unrest.

Deputy Election Commissioner and senior Election Commission officials have been conducting meetings with district election officers, electoral registration officers (EROs), and booth-level officers (BLOs) over the past two days. Sources indicate that the key message from these meetings is unequivocal: any irregularities in the SIR process will not be tolerated, and the revision could be implemented at any time. These preparations signal the Election Commission’s resolve to carry out the SIR despite political opposition.

Mamata Banerjee’s attack on CEO Manoj Agarwal intensified on Thursday. She claimed that multiple complaints exist against the CEO, asserting that he has been threatening officers involved in the process. By calling the SIR a “fraud,” she highlighted her concerns that the state government and the public have been excluded from critical decisions, leaving only a select group of officials to coordinate the process.

The BJP, however, has dismissed Mamata’s allegations, asserting that her statements are driven by fear of losing political control. BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya criticized her for “crossing all limits of political and constitutional propriety” and warned that her attempts to provoke unrest could destabilize the state. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Mamata’s rhetoric reflects anxiety over the SIR process rather than genuine concerns.

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Small protests have already begun in various districts, coinciding with the meetings of top EC officials. Analysts predict that these demonstrations could intensify, particularly if Mamata Banerjee escalates her campaign against the SIR. The political standoff underscores that the electoral battle in Bengal is likely to be preceded by a fierce confrontation over voter roll revisions.

With the 2026 elections on the horizon, the SIR process has emerged as a flashpoint, pitting the state government against the Election Commission and the opposition. The ongoing exchanges between Mamata Banerjee and the BJP signal that Bengal’s political landscape is set for heightened turbulence, with the SIR Stir Erupts In Bengal likely to dominate headlines and public discourse in the coming months.

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