On February 28, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, alleging the presence of approximately 16 lakh fake or duplicate voters in the state. Led by prominent party figure Suvendu Adhikari, a delegation from the West Bengal BJP unit expressed dissatisfaction with the perceived inaction of the election commission in addressing this critical issue despite previous assurances.
Speaking on behalf of the opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, also the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, emphasised that despite repeated assurances from the electoral authorities, the identified irregularities persist. Adhikari highlighted concerns regarding the presence of duplicate entries and the inclusion of deceased individuals in the official voter rolls.
“After a thorough examination, we have uncovered evidence suggesting the existence of approximately 16 lakh fake voters in West Bengal. Our investigation indicates instances of double entries and the inclusion of deceased persons in the voter lists,” stated Adhikari following the delegation’s meeting with the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Expressing disappointment over the lack of concrete action, Adhikari lamented, “Despite promises to rectify these discrepancies, minimal progress has been made. Regrettably, no substantial measures have been taken to address the issue. It is noteworthy that the disparity between votes polled by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP in 2019 was approximately 17 lakh, closely aligning with our findings.”
Adhikari urged the election commission to take immediate steps to rectify the voter rolls, emphasising the importance of ensuring the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.
In addition to addressing the voter irregularities, BJP representatives proposed a meticulous approach to conducting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. They advocated for organising the elections in 42 phases, corresponding to the 42 parliamentary constituencies in the state, as a measure to mitigate potential malpractice and ensure transparency.
With the general elections drawing closer, political parties are intensifying their efforts to appeal to voters. Opposition parties have been vocal in highlighting issues such as the Sandeshkhali land grab and allegations of sexual harassment against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Meanwhile, the TMC is countering with accusations regarding the freezing of funds by the central government.
In a notable development, BJP MLA Soumen Roy, who had previously defected to the TMC after winning the MLA seat on a BJP ticket, announced his return to the saffron camp on February 28, adding another layer of intrigue to the political landscape in West Bengal.
