Speaking to reporters in the capital, Dubey lauded Kumar’s illustrious career. Bihar, once branded as ‘jungle raj’ under previous regimes, was rescued by Kumar’s visionary leadership. He introduced ‘sushasan babu’ – a governance model that prioritized law, order, and progress. The CM’s tenure is a benchmark for inclusive development.

Key to Kumar’s success was his equitable policies that bridged divides among castes and communities. Development wasn’t selective; it touched every corner of society, fostering unity and growth. Dubey noted that Bihar’s electorate has consistently reposed faith in Kumar due to this balanced approach.

On Kumar’s recent Rajya Sabha nomination, Dubey expressed full support. ‘We honor his decision. From Delhi, he’ll ensure Bihar’s development doesn’t skip a beat.’ This commitment underscores Kumar’s enduring dedication.

Commenting on West Bengal’s political unrest, Dubey accused Mamata Banerjee of theatrics amid eroding support. Her resistance to the Election Commission’s SIR is mere posturing, he said. As a neutral institution, the EC deserves cooperation, not obstruction. The people of Bengal, he asserted, have decided to bloom the lotus symbol of BJP.

PCC chief Subhankar Sarkar revealed plans for a marathon 24-hour dharna from 2 PM outside Kolkata’s Chief Electoral Office. ‘We won’t tolerate genuine voters being struck off or ghosts added to the rolls,’ he declared, emphasizing the party’s consistent stance.

Sarkar pointed fingers at the SIR drive started last November 4, warning of widespread voter disenfranchisement. He highlighted that more than 10 million voters have been dragged into hearings over dubious ‘logical discrepancies,’ with their legality under fire.

The leader accused the Election Commission of decisions so poor they’ve invited judicial overrides time and again. Looking ahead, Congress vows to ramp up the movement, calling for the final list by February 28, no deletions based on flimsy grounds, and full authority for registration officials.

The agenda also covers fair processing of Forms 6, 7, and 8, plus swift reinstatement mechanisms for erroneously removed voters with transparent timelines before polling kicks off. In a related development, Calcutta High Court yesterday ordered 200 extra judges from neighboring states to beef up the verification teams handling discrepancy cases.

With elections on the horizon, this showdown highlights deepening rifts over Bengal’s voter registry, potentially reshaping the electoral landscape.

“It will mirror regular lists but add ‘Under Judicial Review’ for court-pending cases and ‘Deleted’ for struck-off names,” Agarwal explained. This affects around 6 million voters across the state, fueling accusations of manipulation from rival camps.

The Calcutta High Court escalated efforts by seeking 200 judges from neighboring Odisha and Jharkhand to scrutinize documents in the ‘logical discrepancy’ category. Chief Justice Sujoy Paul’s meeting included top bureaucrats and police brass, underscoring the operation’s scale.

This purge targets anomalies in voter rolls, with lakhs of claims processed amid court oversight. The Supreme Court greenlit the external judicial aid and outlined contingency plans: publish the main list first, then supplements. Mamata Banerjee’s intervention failed, while BJP champions the move as a crackdown on fraudulent voters ahead of polls.

Political stakes are high, with both sides alleging bias. The markers aim to clarify disputed names, potentially reshaping electoral dynamics in this key battleground state.

Majumdar detailed the suspensions in blocks like Ghatal, Samsherganj, and Sutia, where officials allegedly pushed ineligible names into voter lists defying protocols. ‘Technology and AI now make spotting fraud effortless,’ he told journalists, reinforcing his prior calls for unbiased duty.

‘Work for TMC, and the EC will suspend you—no job security,’ he warned sharply. Majumdar called for strict adherence to democratic norms, transparency, and impartiality to fortify India’s electoral framework.

Echoing this, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari praised the move from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport. ‘EC finally asserted authority in SIR, ignoring chief secretary advice,’ he said. Adhikari lambasted the AEROs for endorsing bogus documents like fake school certificates and PAN cards, breaching 13 key directives.

He leveled serious charges against the state machinery, claiming Nandini Chakraborty pressured district magistrates and electoral officers under Mamata Banerjee’s direction. ‘This racket is government-orchestrated,’ Adhikari alleged.

The suspensions mark a pivotal moment, potentially paving the way for criminal probes via FIRs. As Bengal’s SIR process intensifies, the ECI’s interventions highlight vulnerabilities in voter list management. Officials now navigate a high-stakes environment where partisanship invites swift repercussions, ensuring cleaner rolls for upcoming elections.

Insiders from the CEO’s office highlighted that the EC flagged several names due to doubts over their qualifications as Group-B personnel. As draft voter list hearings wrap up on February 14, these officers are effectively sidelined from immediate proceedings.

Limited roles might emerge during the February 14-21 document scrutiny phase, but only if the government provides clarity. Revelations point to irregularities: upper division clerks, typists, and a retired employee masquerading in the elite Group-B roster.

The Commission has formally asked the state and its departments for verification on these dubious appointments. With the final electoral roll due February 28, followed by the EC’s Kolkata visit on February 29, the clock is ticking. This impasse could delay assembly poll schedules, underscoring deeper governance challenges in Bengal’s electoral preparations.

At the heart of the dispute is Banerjee’s charge that the Election Commission is wielding the SIR as a political weapon, systematically targeting vulnerable groups. She highlights how ‘logical discrepancies’—minor errors in names or addresses—are being used to strike off lakhs of names, hitting women who change surnames after marriage and families relocating hardest.

Banerjee’s plea paints a picture of selective enforcement, pointing out that Assam and other northeastern states have dodged such revisions despite comparable issues. Despite multiple representations, the ECI has remained unresponsive, fueling claims of partisan motives ahead of Bengal’s assembly elections.

During the last hearing, the court flagged the impracticality of deleting voters over spelling differences common across India’s diverse linguistic landscape. Notices were dispatched to the ECI, with today’s listing promising deeper scrutiny and potential interim orders to pause deletions.

Stakes are sky-high for Trinamool Congress, viewing this as an existential threat to their voter base. Legal experts anticipate the bench crafting a balanced approach, safeguarding electoral rolls without compromising accuracy. The outcome could ripple through India’s federal poll machinery, reinforcing or reforming revision protocols.

As arguments unfold, all eyes remain on whether the top court prioritizes voter inclusion or stringent cleanup, a decision poised to influence Bengal’s democratic fabric.

Suvendu Adhikari, the fiery Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, wasted no time in amplifying the clip on social media. ‘TMC’s reign of terror continues unabated,’ he captioned the post. ‘From Farakka in Murshidabad to Chakulia in Uttar Dinajpur, and now Bhaduriya—the pattern is clear. Law and order is in shambles, deliberately worsened by the ruling dispensation during SIR to facilitate fake voter inclusions unchecked.’

The incident unfolds amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, where claims and objections on draft lists are being adjudicated. TMC workers, under local leadership, have made it a habit to derail these sessions, prompting stern warnings from the Election Commission.

ECI has repeatedly alerted the state to beef up security at venues. In a pointed discussion on February 2, CEC Gyanesh Kumar told a Mamata Banerjee-led TMC team that any disruption tantamount to goondagardi would face zero leniency.

This latest uproar adds to a series of similar events, underscoring systemic issues in Bengal’s poll preparations. Opposition leaders are rallying, calling for ECI oversight teams on the ground. As public outrage builds via social media, the pressure is on authorities to restore order and safeguard the voter list’s sanctity. Will Mamata’s administration act, or is this the new normal in West Bengal politics?

Banerjee contends the SIR is disastrously flawed, risking the deletion of genuine voters’ names under the guise of purification. ‘It’s creating panic and eroding trust in our democracy,’ her petition states, highlighting the absence of stakeholder input or robust verification mechanisms.

The process, rolled out statewide, requires voters to submit extensive documents—birth certificates, Aadhaar, rations cards—often unavailable to the poor and marginalized. Critics like Banerjee see this as targeted disenfranchisement, especially in TMC strongholds, potentially skewing future assembly polls.

The Election Commission defends SIR as a proactive step against bogus voting, citing past anomalies. Yet, Banerjee’s lawyers decry it as unconstitutional, infringing on voting rights enshrined in Article 326. They urge the court to suspend operations, order name restorations, and enforce transparent norms.

This showdown underscores deepening rifts between state leadership and central poll authorities. As Wednesday’s arguments unfold, the apex court holds the key to preserving electoral fairness in one of India’s most volatile states. Stakeholders from all sides await a ruling that could redefine voter list management nationwide.

Petitions, including those from Trinamool Congress leaders, pointed to massive voter harassment after 1.36 crore notices flagged logical inconsistencies. The apex court directed adherence to principles of openness and equity, including listing disputed entries publicly and allowing hearings with representatives.

The new protocol demands District Election Officers report incidents like site disturbances, property damage, or staff intimidation straight to police stations. FIR duplicates must reach the SP and CEO offices promptly. If unrest persists, hearings stand postponed until CEO clearance, with lapses in FIR filing drawing heavy repercussions.

As Bengal gears up for 2026 polls, purifying the electoral roll remains critical. The Election Commission insists this is routine housekeeping of voter data, countering claims of bias from ruling party quarters. This robust framework signals determination to conduct the revision peacefully, ensuring every eligible voice counts without fear or favor.

Addressing the media, Adhikari didn’t mince words: ‘Issuing notices isn’t enough. Bengal’s citizens crave real action from the ECI, not empty words. Enough with the lectures—deploy forces now!’ He demanded immediate deployment of CAPF personnel at all verification sites, reminding the Commission of its constitutional authority to act unilaterally, including mobilizing the army if circumstances warrant.

The allegations aren’t isolated. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya recently echoed similar sentiments, calling out the ECI’s perceived favoritism towards TMC and pressing for a CEC fact-finding visit to the state.

In a intriguing forecast for the year-end Assembly polls, Adhikari suggested a potential minority voter shift: ‘They might skip BJP, but TMC is off their list too this time.’ This statement could indicate cracks in TMC’s traditional support base, fueled by governance issues and alleged electoral malpractices.

With the SIR process under scrutiny, Adhikari’s provocative stance amplifies BJP’s narrative of a biased poll machinery. As the revision drive continues, the ECI faces mounting pressure to restore credibility and ensure unhindered democratic exercise in this politically charged state.