August 4, 2025

In Kolkata, the political landscape is heating up as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) prepares for a significant virtual address by its national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee. On August 5, he is expected to connect with over 9,000 party leaders and functionaries, discussing key issues ahead of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, an exercise critical for the upcoming 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal. This virtual meeting aims to set the groundwork for TMC's strategies and responses to ongoing political challenges. Initially planned for August 8, the meeting was moved up due to pressing needs as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has fiercely criticized the SIR rollout in other states like Bihar, alleging it serves as a covert introduction of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal. With an eye towards maintaining electoral integrity, she has instructed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to work diligently to ensure that no voter names are illegitimately removed and that the community isn't subjected to harassment. Conversely, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has initiated a four-day organizational meeting that began last Friday. This gathering aims to strengthen booth-level networks and establish more robust organizational committees. Some BJP leaders have indicated that one focus will be on countering the TMC's narrative regarding the SIR. As the BJP gears up, criticism has arisen concerning their capability to appoint booth-level agents effectively across the state, highlighting discrepancies in the organizational strength compared to TMC. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya claimed that the SIR is an ongoing process and that any negative narratives surrounding it are misleading and intended to instill fear among voters. To bolster their campaign, state BJP leaders are set to hit the ground, reaching out to communities to clarify any misconceptions. The West Bengal State Election Commission has directed all political parties to appoint booth-level agents (BLAs) in preparation for the impending SIR, urging them to compile lists that are to be submitted constituency-wise and district-wise. Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the chief electoral officer of West Bengal, emphasized the importance of a meticulous electoral roll as they prepare for the imminent SIR exercise. This preparation is under direct instructions from the Election Commission of India (ECI). Amidst these developments, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh expressed skepticism about the BJP's capacity to organize effective booth-level representation across the state, further escalating the political contention. Both parties recognize the stakes with the assembly elections on the horizon, and the SIR represents a pivotal moment for them to define voter rolls effectively while addressing the narratives surrounding them. The ongoing atmosphere reflects a charged political environment in West Bengal where both the TMC and BJP are rehearsing their strategies. With the release of 2022 SIR data, speculation has arisen concerning the next steps in revising the electoral rolls, further elevating the urgency of political maneuvering. As candidates emerge and narratives form, both parties are clearly aware that the battles over voter perception, historical context, and electoral integrity will be as significant as the votes themselves in the approaching elections.

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Tags: Trinamool congress, Bjp, West bengal, Sir, Assembly elections,