Serampore MP urges party unity ahead of 2026 polls
The Statesman | 2 January 2026
Serampore MP Kalyan Banerjee, speaking on the Trinamul Congress (TMC) foundation day in Serampore on Wednesday, urged party leaders and workers to remain united to face what he described as a very tough fight ahead.
The MP called upon the party to put up a strong resistance against what he termed the “whimsical attitude” of the Election Commission of India and the “unconstitutional methods” allegedly being adopted by the BJP to win the forthcoming elections.
Mr Banerjee said that for the ensuing elections, Subir Mukherjee has been selected as the coordinator for Serampore and Champdany. Shikha Karmadhyaksha of the zilla parishad continues as mentor, while Abhishek Banerjee has asked him to look after organisational matters in Adisaptagram and Chinsurah.
Referring to a recent meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner in New Delhi, Mr Banerjee said that Abhishek Banerjee had raised several questions and objections regarding the manner in which the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and the hearings were being conducted in West Bengal. According to him, the TMC disagreed with the Election Commission on several vital issues.
He said the party had sought clarification on why BLO-2 officials were not allowed to be present during the hearings, despite there being no legal prohibitory order or circular from the Election Commission barring their entry. The appointment of a large number of micro and macro observers during the ongoing hearings in the state was also questioned.
Mr Banerjee claimed that the response from the Election Commission of India was “shocking and painful”. He alleged that the commission stated that, since AROs and DROs in Bengal were not considered competent enough, the appointment of additional macro and micro observers was necessary. He said the TMC strongly objected to what it viewed as humiliating remarks against IAS, IPS and WBCS officers currently serving as AROs and DROs in the state. The party, he added, demanded that BLO-2 officials be allowed in public hearings to ensure transparency.
The Serampore MP further alleged a “hidden conspiracy” to delete voters’ names. “I can clearly see a conspiracy to cut voters’ names. It is a move against TMC candidates,” he said. He claimed that the removal of voters from particular areas of his constituency through illegal and unconstitutional means would adversely affect his electoral prospects, and that similar actions could impact TMC candidates in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
Mr Banerjee warned that the party would not bow to what he described as the “dictatorship” of the Election Commission. “We will intensify our protests against the whimsical attitude of the Election Commission, and we are prepared to go to jail if necessary,” he said.