Malda, 4 April,2026: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged large-scale irregularities in the electoral roll revision process, claiming that a significant number of voters had been struck off the list in parts of Malda district.
Addressing a rally at Enayetpur, she conducted an on-the-spot survey, asking attendees how many had lost their voting rights following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). In response, nearly 60% of the crowd raised their hands, a moment she described as “deeply alarming” for democracy.Launching a strong attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Banerjee accused the party of deliberately manipulating voter lists. She said such actions amount to a “mockery of democracy” and questioned the fairness of elections if eligible voters are removed.
“If people’s names are deleted, who will cast the votes?” she asked during her speech.The Chief Minister also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that instructions were being issued to remove names, particularly from minority communities. Challenging him to visit the area, she said he should come to Enayetpur and face those who, she claimed, had been wrongfully excluded from the voter rolls.
Following the rally, Banerjee led a nearly 3-kilometre march from Malda College Ground to English Bazar, aiming to reassure residents and mobilize support. She also asked her team to record the crowd’s response during the survey, indicating that the footage could be used to highlight the issue further.The allegations come at a politically sensitive time as West Bengal gears up for upcoming elections.
While the BJP has repeatedly denied accusations of voter suppression, maintaining that electoral roll revisions are conducted according to Election Commission guidelines, Banerjee’s claims are likely to intensify the ongoing political confrontation in the state.
