India
oi-Swastika Sruti
West Bengal’s former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has intensified her opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by describing the entire process as a “botched up” one.
West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee described the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as “botched up” during an INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi, joining opposition concerns over voter exclusion and alleging state autocracy under the BJP.
Mamata Banerjee made these comments at an INDIA bloc meeting held in New Delhi, where leaders of various political parties gathered to discuss the issues related to SIR and the Election Commission.
Talking about the political scenario in West Bengal, she said, “I cannot move out of the house now.” Banerjee also criticized the BJP government in West Bengal for the “autocracy” prevalent in the state.
Mamata Questions SIR Process In West Bengal
The SIR exercise has emerged as a major point of conflict between the Election Commission and Opposition parties.
VIDEO | Delhi: Addressing a press conference after INDIA bloc meeting, former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, says, “He (CEC Gyanesh Kumar) must resign immediately. Let us save the democracy and make the security of the people, the voting rights… It is our constitutional… pic.twitter.com/LX5By031Lp
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 30, 2026
Banerjee criticised the way the electoral-roll revision was carried out and described the process as “botched up”. Opposition parties have repeatedly raised concerns about eligible voters potentially being left out during the exercise.
The Election Commission has maintained that the revision process is aimed at verifying electoral records and ensuring that electoral rolls remain accurate.
The political disagreement has continued, with Opposition parties demanding greater transparency and seeking changes to the way the exercise is being implemented.
‘I Cannot Move Out Of The House’
During the meeting, Banerjee also spoke about the political environment in West Bengal following the elections.
She said, “I cannot move out of the house now,” while accusing the BJP of creating what she described as an atmosphere of “autocracy”.
The statement came amid a politically charged situation in the state, with the TMC and BJP trading allegations over incidents involving political workers and public protests.
Banerjee’s comments were part of her broader criticism of the BJP and its politics in West Bengal.
INDIA Bloc Discusses Election Commission
The meeting was held at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi and was attended by senior Opposition leaders. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were among those present. Banerjee and leaders of other INDIA bloc parties also participated in the discussions.
The parties discussed how they could jointly respond to the SIR exercise and their concerns regarding the Election Commission.
The Opposition has also demanded action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, making the functioning of the poll panel a key part of its campaign.
Congress Demands Pre-SIR Electoral Rolls
The Congress has separately intensified its opposition to the electoral-roll revision.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called for the use of electoral rolls that existed before the SIR exercise and has demanded greater transparency in the process.
The Opposition has alleged that the revision could result in the exclusion of legitimate voters. The Election Commission’s stated purpose, however, is to verify and update electoral records.
The issue has now become a wider political battle between the Opposition and the Election Commission, with INDIA bloc parties seeking to build a joint campaign around electoral-roll revisions.
