Kolkata: Her fight was to protect the democratic right of every elector, irrespective of language, religion or political affiliation, CM
Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday, criticising the SIR process in Bengal and alleging large-scale deletion of genuine voters' names from electoral rolls.
"I am fighting for the protection of loktantra for all. I don't differentiate between electors on the basis of their language, religion or party. If the name of any genuine elector, irrespective of party preference, gets deleted in the SIR process, I will fight for their right," she said.
The CM was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a Jain Manastambha and the Sant Kutia Gurdwara Gate in Bhowanipore. She virtually inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple projects across the state — a new police station in Howrah, a G+5 building at the Tollygunge fire station, distribution of 12.5 lakh cycles under the Sabuj Sathi scheme, induction of 100 fire bikes and 100 CNG buses, and foundation stone laying for a minority cultural centre in New Town.
Saying that 58 lakh names had already been deleted in SIR, Banerjee claimed another 80 lakh could face deletion due to "logical discrepancies". Calling the process "flawed", she reminded the audience that she had approached the Supreme Court against it. "I fought against this flawed process at the Supreme Court. The petition is still pending. The court passed a separate order 5 days ago. But I don't know if anything changed and whether the illegal deletions can be stopped," Banerjee said.
Expressing apprehension over the publication of the final SIR list scheduled for Feb 28, Banerjee said, "I don't know how many names of genuine voters will get deleted. I feel bad for them. But I reiterate, I will protest and fight for all those electors who have genuine documents."
Addressing a diverse audience from multiple communities, the CM described the constituency she represents as a microcosm of the country. "Bhowanipore is like mini India, where people of all communities live and celebrate all festivals together. I stand by you during your festivals and also in times of mishaps. Because of my busy schedule, I may not always be able to join celebrations, but if anything happens, remember I am always there with you," she said.
Banerjee said she had prayed before the newly inaugurated Manastambha that no genuine voter was left out of the rolls. "I am praying for justice to prevail. If my prayers are answered, I will come here again and bow before this pious structure," she said.
Ending her address on an emotive note, Banerjee said her appeal was simple: "Jeeo aur jeene do — live and let live. May no genuine voter lose their democratic right."
Tamaghna Banerjee, a reporter from Kolkata, covers crime, aviatio...
Read MoreTamaghna Banerjee, a reporter from Kolkata, covers crime, aviation, human rights and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest and rural reporting. He has done his postgraduation in journalism and mass communication. He has a total of 14 years in journalism.
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