Shubhendu Adhikari blames Mamata Banerjee for West Bengal voter list deletions

West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari has attributed the removal of approximately 2.7 million names from the state's voter list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata, Adhikari stated that neither the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nor the Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for the deletions. He clarified that judicial officers carried out the removals in compliance with directions from the Supreme Court following a petition filed by Banerjee herself. Adhikari accused Banerjee of attempting to deflect blame for her electoral losses onto others.

The political dispute intensifies as the Trinamool Congress alleges that legitimate voters have been stripped from the rolls and is demanding their reinstatement. Adhikari defended the Election Commission, noting that decisions regarding the SIR are made collectively rather than by individuals.