TMC to lead INDIA bloc protest against EC's voter list revision, alleges "conspiracy"

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has openly declared its strong opposition to the Election Commission of India's (EC) Special Intensive Revision Campaign of voter lists, alleging a "conspiracy" to remove the names of lakhs of valid voters, particularly minorities, Dalits, and economically disadvantaged sections, from electoral rolls across various states, including West Bengal. The party is now set to escalate this issue to a national level, organizing a significant movement in Delhi alongside other constituents of the INDIA Alliance.

According to party sources, discussions with India Alliance partners, including the Congress, are nearly finalized for a joint protest program in mid-July. The issue is also slated to be strongly raised during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, commencing on July 21. Trinamool supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other party leaders have unequivocally stated their belief that this "revision campaign" is unfair and a misuse of the Election Commission by the BJP, driven by fear of defeat in Bengal.

The TMC contends that the EC has issued declaration forms without proper consultation with state governments or the general public, facilitating the mass deletion of voter names. The party has cited past incidents of alleged fake names being added or real names removed from voter lists, with perceived inaction from the Election Commission. Days prior, the Trinamool Congress had held simultaneous press conferences in Delhi and Kolkata to voice these concerns, with leaders like Derek O'Brien comparing the exercise to Nazi-era "ancestor passes" and accusing it of being a "backdoor entry for NRC."

The INDIA Alliance's united front will involve a national-level protest, a joint press conference, and a joint meeting in Delhi in mid-July. Beyond these immediate actions, the Trinamool and other alliance members are committed to prominently raising this contentious matter within Parliament during the upcoming Monsoon Session, which starts on July 21, amplifying their demand for transparency and fairness in the electoral process.