ssue sub judice: Speaker’s no to TMC’s SIR debate request
Times of India | 6 February 2026
Kolkata: The Bengal assembly on Thursday saw sharp political sparring over a proposed discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls after speaker Biman Banerjee ruled out a debate on the issue noting that the matter was pending before the Supreme Court.
Trinamool had sought a discussion on SIR, arguing that it had caused widespread harassment of voters ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. However, the speaker said the House would not take up the issue as it was sub judice, and that discussion would be limited to the governor's address. After the governor's address and before state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya read out the vote-on-account, parliamentary affairs minister Shovandeb Chattopadhyay read out a resolution seeking a discussion on SIR. The proposal was supported by CM Mamata Banerjee.
Chattopadhyay alleged SIR had led to the harassment of voters and claimed 107 people had died due to anxiety. He said EC had "turned into a commission of harassment". The speaker rejected the proposal, reiterating that since the matter was pending before the SC, the assembly could not deliberate on it. LoP Suvendu Adhikari accused state govt of changing the business advisory committee (BAC) resolution at the last moment. "The BAC resolution was conveyed in the morning, but it has been changed. We were told there would be a discussion on SIR and came prepared. Now, it is being altered," he said, demanding that the speaker place the business list before the House.
BJP chief whip Shankar Ghosh said that state govt was shielding infiltrators. Ghosh also questioned 70% rise in voters, arguing that the increase was disproportionate.