TMC Accuses Election Commission of Targeting Bengal as SIR Notices Spark Political Row

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday intensified its attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal has turned into a politically motivated exercise aimed at intimidating citizens ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The controversy erupted after notices were reportedly issued to several well-known personalities from the state, triggering sharp reactions from the ruling party.

Addressing a public meeting, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee claimed that even globally respected figures had not been spared. “This is extremely sad. People who have brought pride not just to Bengal but to the entire country are being summoned like ordinary suspects,” he said, referring to Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen. Banerjee also named Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami and actor-politician Dev among those who allegedly received SIR notices.

Banerjee questioned the intent behind the exercise, arguing that the Election Commission was selectively focusing on Bengal. “Why is this happening only in West Bengal? Is this some kind of special punishment for the people of this state?” he asked, accusing the poll body of acting under political pressure. He alleged that the SIR process had gone beyond voter verification and had become a tool to “create fear and confusion” among voters.

According to the TMC leadership, the issuance of notices to prominent individuals reflects a broader pattern of harassment faced by ordinary citizens. “If someone like Amartya Sen can be called for verification, imagine the plight of senior citizens, migrant workers and the poor,” Banerjee said, warning that such actions could discourage people from participating freely in the democratic process.

The party has repeatedly claimed that the SIR has led to the arbitrary deletion of names from electoral rolls. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also raised concerns over the exercise, asserting that genuine voters are being forced to run from one office to another. “The right to vote is sacred. No authority has the right to snatch it away through bureaucratic harassment,” she has said at recent rallies.

Election officials, however, maintain that the SIR is a routine administrative exercise conducted to ensure accuracy in voter lists. They have argued that notices are issued only to address technical discrepancies and are not targeted at any individual or region. Opposition leaders have echoed this view, dismissing the TMC’s allegations as an attempt to politicise a constitutional process.

The BJP, responding to the accusations, said the ruling party was misleading the public. “The Election Commission is only doing its duty. The TMC is crying foul because it fears clean and transparent elections,” a senior BJP leader remarked.