1.2 crore names may be deleted after SIR in Bengal, says Mamata
The Hindu
Mamata Banerjee warns 1.2 crore names may be deleted from West Bengal's electoral rolls after SIR revision, stressing democracy's importance.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) expressed concern that the names of about 1. 2 crore voters may be deleted following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the State. The final rolls are likely to be published on Saturday (February 28).
“In the first phase, 58 lakh names were excluded. Then they are secretly excluding (more) people again in the name of logical discrepancy. It will be 80 lakh, not 50 lakh. If we assume that 20 lakh voters have died, then the names of about 1.2 crore people will be excluded from the voter list,” the Chief Minister said.
Speaking at an event in her Assembly constituency, Bhabanipur, Ms. Banerjee said that she had fought against the SIR exercise in the Supreme Court.
“I myself went and fought in the Supreme Court. The petition is still pending. Many days have passed since the court’s order. I don’t know what will happen to the list that will be published on the 28th (February 28),” she said. The Chief Minister had appeared in person before the Supreme Court on February 4.
The Trinamool Congress chairperson said that she would pray for those whose names might be deleted from the electoral rolls. Addressing members of the Jain community at the event, she said that her concerns were not about the religious or political affiliations of the party.
“I am for humanity. It does not matter who is Trinamool, who is BJP, who is CPM. Who is Hindu, who is Muslim, who is Sikh, who is Jain, who is Christian. I just want to ensure that democracy in the country is protected and the rights of every citizen are upheld,” she said.
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