Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Apr 25: Senior West Bengal minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) women’s wing chief Chandrima Bhattacharya has dismissed concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that the issue will not impact her party’s electoral prospects.

Bhattacharya, 70, who holds key portfolios including Finance (Independent Charge), Health, Family Welfare and Land Reforms, is contesting from the Dum Dum Uttar constituency in the ongoing elections.

Speaking in an interview, she expressed strong confidence in the judiciary, stating that the party’s leadership has consistently raised its voice against the alleged irregularities in voter list revisions. She said people are aware of the developments and that the courts have already begun intervening in the matter.

Bhattacharya noted that individuals whose names have been deleted from voter rolls still have legal avenues available to restore their voting rights. She pointed out that the judiciary has clarified that the absence of a name from the voter list does not strip a citizen of their right to vote, and that corrective measures are underway.

She, however, criticised the Election Commission, alleging that many affected individuals could not reclaim their voting rights in time for the election due to administrative lapses.

Rejecting claims that voter deletions, particularly among minority communities, could harm the TMC, Bhattacharya said the move has backfired on its opponents. According to her, the process also led to the removal of names of Hindu voters, resulting in resentment among sections that were previously supportive of the BJP.

She maintained that the alleged harassment caused by such deletions has shifted voter sentiment, strengthening support for the TMC instead.