Kolkata’s political circles are buzzing with tension over the voter list revisions in Bhabanipur, the assembly constituency represented by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. As the state gears up for upcoming elections, fresh concerns have emerged about potential further deletions from the electoral roll.
According to official data from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, 14,154 cases flagged for ‘logical discrepancies’ in voter documents have been sent for judicial scrutiny. This follows the removal of 47,111 names from the final voter list already published for Bhabanipur. If the judicial probe results in more deletions, the tally could climb significantly, reshaping the electorate in this key seat.
Opposition leaders, spearheaded by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, have seized on these developments to target the Chief Minister. Adhikari warned that such massive deletions signal trouble for Banerjee, claiming the remaining voters may not suffice to secure her victory in the next assembly polls.
Unfazed, Banerjee exuded confidence, declaring she would win from Bhabanipur even with just one voter left. She launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission, alleging a deliberate conspiracy to strike off genuine and valid voters’ names. Pointing fingers at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she accused the poll body of colluding with the opposition to undermine her stronghold.
This escalating row underscores deeper anxieties about electoral integrity in West Bengal. With by-elections or general polls on the horizon, both camps are bracing for a fierce contest. Banerjee’s bold stance aims to rally her supporters, while the opposition pushes narratives of vulnerability. As judicial reviews unfold, the final voter count will be pivotal in determining the political fate of Bhabanipur.