TMC in Turmoil as Over 44,000 Voter Names Removed in Mamata Banerjee’s Bhabanipur

Kolkata, December 17, 2025: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has been thrown into a frenzy following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal, which led to the removal of over 45,000 voter names from Mamata Banerjee’s traditional Bhabanipur assembly constituency. The Chief Minister has represented Bhabanipur successfully since 2011, making the revision a major concern for the party.

In response, TMC leadership has launched a door-to-door verification campaign, instructing booth-level agents to cross-check voter lists and ensure no valid voter has been mistakenly removed. The party has also directed activists to assist citizens in filing objections and completing necessary forms through ongoing “Me I Help You” camps.

Massive Name Removals Across Kolkata
The Election Commission released the draft voter list on Monday after the SIR, removing over 5.8 million names statewide. In Kolkata alone, four key constituencies – Bhabanipur, Kolkata Port, Ballygunge, and Rasbehari – saw a total of 216,000 names deleted, approximately 24% of the total voters in these areas.

In Bhabanipur, voter numbers dropped from 206,295 in January 2025 to 161,509 in the new draft list. This means 44,787 names (21.7% of total voters) were removed. In the previous election, Mamata Banerjee had secured 85,263 votes, while BJP’s Priyanka Tibrewal received 26,428 votes. TMC leaders argue that legitimate voters should not have been removed without physical verification, and they suspect many deletions are unjust.

Disproportionate Impact on Muslim-Dominated Areas
The wards most affected include 63, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77, and 82 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Wards 70, 72, and 77, which are Muslim-majority areas and traditional TMC strongholds, saw the highest number of deletions. Bhabanipur also has a significant population of residents from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha. TMC is mobilizing its cadres to ensure every removed voter is rechecked and any discrepancies are officially challenged.

The aggressive voter verification drive underscores TMC’s determination to safeguard its traditional bastion ahead of upcoming elections and prevent disenfranchisement of legitimate voters.