Mamata urges people to cast vote to ‘take revenge’ for deletion of names from electoral rolls

Mamata Banerjee urges voters to reclaim deleted names from rolls, accusing BJP of undermining her efforts for Muslim interests.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday (April 5, 2026) urged people to cast their votes to “take revenge” for the deletion of people's names from the electoral rolls.

The Trinamool Congress chief urged people whose names have been deleted from the voter list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to move appeals before the tribunal.

Addressing an election rally at Samserganj, which was the epicentre of violence during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Muslim-majority Murshidabad district in April 2025, she said, "Cast your votes to take revenge for deletion of people's names, and against the SIR so that the results reflect that." Ms. Banerjee asked party workers to remain vigilant till the counting date on May 4. Assembly polls in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29.

Assembly elections: Follow LIVE updates on April 5, 2026

In an apparent reference to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ms. Banerjee alleged that he was behind the deletion of voters' names in West Bengal during the SIR exercise. "If you have the guts, fight directly," she said.

Asking all Trinamool Congress workers to be on guard during the poll period, Ms. Banerjee said, "I hope none of our booth agents will sell themselves off to the BJP, in the interest of West Bengal." Claiming that EVM machines will be made to malfunction at some places, the Trinamool Congress chief instructed party workers not to allow ECI officials to repair the machines and instead demand replacements.