As West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee along with Trinamool Congress (TMC) leadership led a massive protest rally against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kolkata, the political messaging of 'defiance' was written all over it. The protest also served as a statement in the backdrop of the upcoming West Bengal assembly polls in 2026.
Addressing the rally, TMC National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee said the party having successfully demonstrated against the electoral exercise in the state capital, is now ready to launch a bigger demonstration in the national capital.
"After the announcement of SIR, the number of people who lost their lives due to this, we offer our condolences to their families today. Today, we participated in the protest rally against SIR... BJP must think if we can arrange such a huge gathering in 2 days, what will be our turnout when we go to Delhi for our protest... In the last 7 days, the family members of those who died due to SIR fear are present with us, in today's rally. Now prepare for the next destination, Delhi. We are ready to fight against SIR in Delhi..." said Banerjee.
Addressing supporters, Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the BJP. “The BJP must think, if we can arrange such a huge gathering in two days, what will be our turnout when we go to Delhi for our protest,” he said, adding, “We won’t bow down to the zamindars of Delhi.”
He alleged that fear surrounding the SIR process had already claimed several lives. “In the last seven days, the family members of those who died due to SIR fear are present with us in today’s rally. All seven people who have lost their lives feared their voting rights would be snatched,” he said.
Thousands of TMC supporters thronged the rally route, waving the party flags, raising slogans and holding aloft colourful posters. Dressed in her trademark white cotton saree and slippers, Ms. Banerjee led the procession, occasionally stopping to greet people standing on balconies and pavements. Abhishek Banerjee followed the Chief Minister, waving to the crowd, flanked by senior TMC leaders and ministers.
The Trinamool Congress, has alleged that the revision drive amounts to a “silent, invisible rigging” orchestrated by the BJP-led central government in collusion with the Election Commission.
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