“Verdict in my case, Maa-Mati-Manush zindabad”: Mamata reacts to SC order on SIR row

The Supreme Court has invoked Article 142 in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) matter, directing that voters whose names are cleared by tribunals up to two days before polling will be allowed to vote in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The ruling also mandates the publication of updated voter lists to include such eligible voters before polling.

Reacting to the decision, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed satisfaction and called it a victory for the people. Addressing an election rally in Cooch Behar, she said, “No one is happier than me today,” and added that she had always encouraged excluded voters to apply to tribunals to restore their voting rights. She described the verdict as a recognition of democratic fairness and expressed gratitude towards the judiciary.

According to the Supreme Court’s directive, tribunal decisions will determine voter eligibility even after the electoral roll has been frozen. For the first phase of polling on April 23, voters cleared by April 21 will be allowed to vote, while for the second phase on April 29, the cut-off date is April 27. The Election Commission has also been directed to issue revised voter lists and ensure distribution of updated voter slips to avoid voting disruptions.

The ruling has sparked political debate, with the ruling party welcoming the move as corrective and opposition voices questioning its attribution. While Mamata Banerjee claimed the legal fight as part of her initiative, other political figures pointed out that multiple petitions and litigants were involved in the matter. The verdict is being seen as a significant development in the ongoing electoral process in the state.