Target for ‘zero BJP’ in Bengal, will fight against SIR ‘conspiracy’: Abhishek
The Statesman | 5 November 2025
Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on both the Election Commission and the Bharatiya Janata Party from a rally in Kolkata, describing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as a “conspiracy to snatch away citizens’ democratic rights.”
Setting the tone for the party’s next phase of agitation, Abhishek declared that “the battle ahead is to make Bengal BJP-free.”
The rally began at Red Road and passed through Rani Rashmoni Avenue, Dorina Crossing and Central Avenue before culminating at Jorasanko. Before addressing the gathering, chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek paid floral tributes at a memorial dedicated to seven individuals, who allegedly died by suicide fearing loss of their voter identity under the SIR process. Expressing gratitude to supporters for walking the four-kilometre stretch in the afternoon heat, Abhishek said: “People lining both sides of the road blessed us with their love and trust. Those who died in fear of SIR all had valid names in the voter list. Today, anyone can be branded as Bangladeshi and thrown out at will. This cannot continue.”
The SIR process formally began across Bengal on Tuesday, with booth level officers (BLOs) visiting households to distribute enumeration forms. Against this backdrop, the Trinamul held its massive protest march through the heart of Kolkata, with both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee leading thousands of party workers. Families of several deceased individuals from Titagarh, Ilambazar, and East Midnapore joined the rally, symbolising the party’s message that the revision process had triggered widespread anxiety. Abhishek met these bereaved families earlier in the day, listened to their concerns, and assured them of the party’s full support.
Drawing a parallel with the 21 July Martyrs’ Day of 1993, he said, “Back then, under the leadership of a young Mamata Banerjee, 31 people sacrificed their lives for the right to vote. Since then, every voter in Bengal remembers that movement each time they cast their ballot.” Turning his ire towards the Centre, Abhishek accused the Modi government of repeatedly depriving Bengal. “We said we would go to Delhi and bring back the withheld 100-day job funds. When they stopped us, we said we would find our own way — and we did. They used the ED, CBI, Income Tax, the commission and paramilitary forces as political weapons, but we wrested back what was rightfully ours,” he said. Referring to the Sunali Khatoon incident, Abhishek accused the BJP of “pushing people back across borders at whim.” He urged party workers to be prepared for larger movements in Delhi and warned the Matua and Rajbanshi communities not to fall for the BJP’s “false promises.”
“Look at what happened to Hindus in Assam. The same fate awaits you if you trust them. No Matua will be pushed back to Bangladesh as long as we are here,” he said, dismissing the Rs 800 Matua card scheme as “eyewash”. In a combative tone, the Trinamul leader concluded: “The coming battle is the battle to make BJP zero in Bengal. Don’t fear the SIR. Trinamul soldiers are on the streets — and we will stand by every citizen.”
“Twelve BJP MPs from Bengal were elected to power by the people and Bengal and have taken our money, and 77 BJP leaders became MLAs. We must reduce them to zero. If the 12 MPs had not won and AITC had 40 seats instead, what would have happened today? BJP would be gone,” said Abhishek.
The national general secretary of TMC said that the party will rise in revolt against those whose demand for “verified” documents has alienated people from their fundamental voting rights. “Thirteen young people gave their lives on that fateful day of 21 July. Since then, whenever someone in India exercises their voting right, they remember Mamata Banerjee’s Youth Congress, and that memory is written in golden letters in Bengal. Today, if we have to sacrifice our lives to protect people’s rights, Bengalis will not give up their self-respect. If we bow, we will do so only to the 10 crore Bengalis, not to Delhi. We will not sell our spine,” said Abhishek.
The MP added that earlier, people exercised their right to vote to elect the government, now PM Narendra Modi’s government chooses who will get to exercise that right. Ten years ago, on 8 November, 2016, they announced demonetisation and withdrew the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Suddenly, they say Aadhar has no value; voter cards are not valid and ration cards have no validity.