In a pointed attack on West Bengal’s leadership, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Nirupam warned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will bear the full responsibility for any disenfranchised voters during the state assembly elections. Speaking to media in Mumbai, the fiery leader accused Banerjee of sabotaging the Election Commission’s efforts to revise voter lists through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative.
With polling dates looming large, the unfinished SIR process has created chaos, according to Nirupam. TMC’s resistance, he claimed, has prevented timely corrections, leaving many eligible voters at risk of exclusion. ‘The state should have aided the Commission, not hindered it. Objection periods for deleted names are now critically short,’ he explained.
Nirupam didn’t mince words: ‘Legitimate voters deprived of their democratic right? That’s on Mamata Banerjee’s head.’ This comes as opposition parties intensify scrutiny over alleged irregularities in Bengal’s electoral rolls, fueling debates on electoral integrity.
Turning to Kerala elections, Nirupam forecasted BJP’s emergence as a key player, eroding Congress’s base and consolidating a substantial vote share. ‘The dynamics are shifting dramatically,’ he predicted.
He also expressed optimism over the US-Iran ceasefire, a welcome respite in tense geopolitics. ‘Iran’s stance keeps Israel out, but two weeks of peace is better than none. America’s firm stance forced the breakthrough,’ Nirupam remarked, emphasizing dialogue over conflict.
Lauding the Women’s Reservation Bill as a game-changer, Nirupam called on political outfits to unite for its implementation. ‘Reserving a third of seats for women will transform politics. Let’s make it law this session for 2029 polls,’ he appealed, envisioning empowered legislatures across India.
