Political parties make SIR an election plank for votes
The Statesman | 15 April 2026
Meanwhile, the ‘SIR’ (Special Intensive Revision) of electoral rolls has emerged as a major political flashpoint in the region. Allegations of large-scale deletion of names from voter lists, including those of legitimate voters, have triggered widespread debate.
The issue has also drawn attention following observations by the Supreme Court of India, leading to varied reactions across political and civil circles.
The Trinamul Congress has taken an aggressive stance on the matter, with analysts suggesting that the party will amplify the issue further in the run-up to polling. All eyes are now on what Banerjee says during her North Bengal visit.
At the same time, the issue has gained traction in Malda’s Gazole, where Amit Shah’s remarks are being keenly awaited.
Adding to the tension, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has begun probing the incident in Malda where judicial officers were allegedly ‘gheraoed’ and confined. As part of the investigation, several individuals are being questioned.
On 12 April, NIA officials reportedly picked up Congress candidate Sayem Chowdhury from the Mothabari Assembly segment and took him to a camp in Farakka for prolonged interrogation. His mobile phone was seized before he was released. Two others were also detained and questioned.
Chowdhury later stated that while the NIA officials behaved courteously, the seizure of his phone had caused serious inconvenience to his election work. He further alleged that there could be political motives behind the interrogation and hinted at possible involvement of local Trinamul elements including candidates.
In a related development, Mausam Noor, who recently returned to the Congress after resigning from the TMC, alleged that the removal of names from voter lists and the resulting disenfranchisement involved the state government, the BJP, and the Election Commission of India. The Congress has thus turned the SIR issue into a major campaign plank in Malda.
The Trinamul Congress, too, has been raising the issue across West Bengal, particularly highlighting the plight of voters whose names have been struck off the rolls. Many such voters are now looking to the Chief Minister for reassurance.
With polling scheduled for 23 April, all major parties ~ the Trinamul Congress, BJP, Congress, and CPI-M and others ~ are intensifying their campaigns. However, the run-up to the election has also seen sporadic incidents of tension and clashes.
In Cooch Behar district, reports of repeated clashes between TMC and BJP supporters have emerged from areas such as Mathabhanga, Dinhata, Sitai, Sitalkuchi, and parts of South Cooch Behar.
In Siliguri, the political contest has primarily narrowed down to a direct fight between Trinamul Congress leader Gautam Deb and BJP MLA and candidate Sankar Ghosh, although Congress and CPI-M Saradindu Chakraborty and Congress candidate Ashok Dhara are also in the fray.
The two leaders Deb and Ghosh have adopted contrasting campaign styles. Sankar Ghosh has been releasing daily video clips highlighting civic issues in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation area, projecting a distinctive outreach strategy. In contrast, Gautam Deb has focused on extensive grassroots mobilisation to corner the BJP.
Recently, a letter written by Gautam Deb has stirred political discussion. Instead of visiting an ailing veteran CPI leader Ujjal Choudhury in person, he penned an emotional message explaining that a visit during the election period could be politically misconstrued, and that he would meet him after the polls.
Political analysts interpret this as an attempt to reach out to Left-leaning voters. The move has raised questions about whether Deb is seeking tacit support from Left supporters to counter the BJP.
Overall, the electoral landscape in North Bengal is now defined by layered issues, sharp political exchanges, and strategic messaging, setting the stage for an intense contest in the days ahead.