BJP Targets Rahul Gandhi Over SIR Protest, Highlights Alleged Fake Voter Stockpile with Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: In the wake of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal, the Election Commission has removed 5.8 million names from the electoral roll, prompting sharp reactions from political parties. While Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the exercise, the BJP has seized on a statement by Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to corner Rahul Gandhi.

BJP Launches Attack on Congress

BJP posted a video on its official social media handle, highlighting Chowdhury’s comments that Mamata Banerjee allegedly maintains a stockpile of 3.5–4 million fake voters. The post urged Rahul Gandhi to question his own party’s leaders on the matter. The BJP’s message read, “Listen Rahul Gandhi, ask your alliance partners about SIR. Congress itself is demanding SIR while spreading false claims.” The exact date of Chowdhury’s statement has not been clarified.

SIR Findings Spark Debate

The Election Commission’s SIR process in West Bengal revealed:

• Over 5.8 million names removed from the voter list
• 2.4 million voters found deceased
• 1.2 million voters untraceable at their registered addresses
• 2 million voters returned to their original constituencies
• 138,000 duplicate entries detected

Mamata Banerjee has raised strong objections to the process, questioning the deletion of so many names and accusing the Election Commission and BJP of political bias.

Political Fallout

The BJP’s release of Chowdhury’s statement comes at a sensitive time, highlighting internal contradictions within the Congress while attempting to delegitimize Mamata Banerjee’s criticisms. This development adds a new layer of tension to the political discourse in West Bengal, especially ahead of upcoming elections.