“Vote for TMC, you will not be cheated”: Mamata Banerjee addresses anger over voter deletions

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday intensified her political attack during a rally in Manikchak, Malda, raising concerns over voter security, alleged manipulation of electoral rolls, and the role of central agencies ahead of the Assembly elections. Addressing supporters, she urged people to remain vigilant and monitor the movement of outsiders entering the state through trains and buses.

She alleged that attempts were being made to influence the electoral process by bringing in money and external elements. Calling on voters to stay alert, Banerjee said people should keep track of who is entering their areas and where they are staying, asserting that such activities were being carried out with the involvement of central authorities and agencies.

Focusing on polling day concerns, she warned of multiple tactics allegedly aimed at suppressing votes, including deletion of names from voter lists, financial pressure, and obstruction through central forces. She advised voters not to panic and to demand replacement of Electronic Voting Machines if they malfunction, while also ensuring that VVPAT systems are properly attached.

Referring to recent tensions, including the Mothabari incident, Banerjee accused “communal forces” of creating unrest and alleged that local residents were being harassed in subsequent investigations. She claimed that voices of protest were being suppressed and stressed that voting is a constitutional right, encouraging affected individuals to file applications and seek legal recourse if their names were missing from electoral rolls.

During her address, she also touched upon local issues, including candidate changes in Manikchak and development initiatives such as mango exports from Malda. However, her speech remained sharply political, questioning voter list deletions and using strong rhetoric against the BJP, asserting that public resistance would ultimately determine the course of the elections.