(Image source from: x.com/AITCofficial)

West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the BJP on Tuesday, claiming that the party is attempting to control the national election authority and warned against removing any authentic voters from the roll during the upcoming SIR process. Referring to the BJP’s campaign in Bihar, Mamata claimed that people there are unable to see through the party's "game" in the neighboring region, adding that this wouldn’t happen in Bengal. She cautioned the BJP that if she or her supporters were targeted in Bengal, she would take to the streets across the country and "shake the entire nation.""If you attack me in Bengal and I see any violence against my people as a personal insult, I will make waves across the nation. I will travel the whole country after the elections," she stated.

While speaking at an anti-SIR gathering in Bongaon, the leader of the Trinamool Congress reassured everyone that the Election Commission doesn't have the authority to remove any names and urged them not to feel "worried.""The SIR process takes three years to complete. It was last carried out in 2002. We never opposed SIR, but we oppose any removal of genuine voters, especially those benefiting from different government programs...The BJP is manipulating the list from their party office, and the Election Commission will follow their instructions. The Election Commission’s role is to stay fair and not act as a BJP commission," she mentioned while addressing the Matua community at the rally in Bongaon. The process for updating voter lists is currently happening in Bengal, where each voter must submit a partially completed unique Enumeration Form to their local Booth Level Officer (BLO) by December 4. The draft voter list is scheduled to be published on December 9.

Mamata accused the BJP of attacking certain communities and twisting the electoral process, saying, "BJP cannot compete and win against me on my terms," while reaffirming her dedication to safeguarding voter rights in West Bengal. She insisted that the BJP's plans would not succeed, even with the use of government resources or agencies. Expressing her worries about the fairness of the SIR process, Mamata mentioned that her helicopter flight was canceled, calling it a "plot" by the BJP to stop her from getting to the rally. She emphasized her resolve by traveling to Bongaon by road and continued to discuss the problems facing the Matua community and other beneficiaries. Mamata also criticized the BJP's viewpoint on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), alleging that forms were being given out based on religion just because elections are approaching.

"And now they are raising their voices about CAA and handing out forms based on religion just because elections are approaching," she stated. She cautioned that applying for CAA could lead to problems for some voters in the future. "When you submit your CAA application and claim you are a Bangladeshi citizen seeking Indian citizenship, it will be seen as proof that you are a foreign national. Think for yourself and do not let your future be shaped by what you see online or in biased media," she mentioned. Discussing matters of language and identity, Banerjee said, "Our mother tongue is Bengali; I speak it too and was born in Birbhum. If they wish, they can label me as a Bangladeshi as well!"

"Bangla has various dialects that change based on location. But the language remains Bangla," she continued. Banerjee also referenced the Constitution, stating, "Do not forget that Ambedkar thoughtfully crafted the constitution. Our constitution promotes harmony among all religions." She accused the BJP of "mistreating people and practicing 'Adarma' under the guise of Dharma."