Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 4: In a rare move by a sitting Chief Minister, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court, alleging that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state was “deliberately designed” to target Bengal ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Appearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, Banerjee claimed that the exercise had created extreme pressure on officials and citizens, leading to over 150 deaths, including that of a Booth Level Officer, who she said reportedly died due to severe stress following directives from the Chief Electoral Officer.

Banerjee, who arrived in the national capital three days ago to intensify her standoff with the Election Commission of India (ECI), questioned why West Bengal was being singled out.

“Why Bengal? Why not Assam or other northeastern states? The Election Commission is only targeting Bengal to bulldoze people of the state,” she told the court, urging it to intervene and protect citizens’ democratic rights.

The Trinamool Congress supremo alleged that the first phase of the SIR had resulted in nearly 58 lakh voter names being deleted, many without allowing affected voters to appeal under Form 6.

She further claimed that the deletions were largely carried out by micro-observers, allegedly brought in from BJP-ruled states, while local electoral staff were sidelined. Banerjee also alleged that valid documents such as domicile certificates and other government-issued proofs were being rejected.

Highlighting what she termed as flaws in the process, Banerjee said minor changes — such as a woman adopting her husband’s surname after marriage or shifting to her in-laws’ home — were being treated as mismatches.

She added that individuals relocating for work were being flagged under “logical discrepancies” and faced potential removal from the rolls.

Criticising the timing, she said, “After 24 years, what was the hurry to complete in four months. What could have been done in two years?”

Banerjee also said notices were issued during the harvest season and Puja period, when many people were away from their homes.

Expressing displeasure over the Election Commission’s response, Banerjee said she had written six letters to the ECI but received no reply.

“Lawyers always fight for the case when everything is finished. Justice is crying behind the doors,” she remarked.

“I am a less important person, a bonded labour, but I am not fighting for my party. I am an ordinary person seeking justice,” she told the bench.

Before concluding, Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission, referring to it as the “WhatsApp Commission”, alleging that voter names were being deleted unfairly and Bengal was being targeted.

After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Election Commission and directed it to file its reply by February 10