Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has launched a scathing attack on electoral opacity, demanding the Election Commission furnish precise counts of Bangladeshi and Rohingya illegals infiltrating voter lists. Delivered at a packed public meeting, this ultimatum has polarized opinions and reignited border politics.
Banerjee framed the issue as a national imperative: ‘Transparent voter rolls are the bedrock of democracy. Hide the numbers, and you hide the truth.’ He accused authorities of selective outrage, citing intelligence inputs of organized rackets supplying fake IDs.
Geopolitically, Bangladesh’s economic woes and Myanmar’s Rohingya persecution drive these flows. Banerjee highlighted West Bengal’s 2,217-km border vulnerability, calling for tech-savvy surveillance like drones and facial recognition at checkposts.
His blueprint includes ECI-led task forces, mandatory document scrutiny, and public dashboards tracking progress. He assured safeguards for refugees with legitimate claims under international law.
Politically charged, Banerjee’s words target BJP’s strongman image, positioning TMC as the guardian of clean elections. Counter-allegations fly, with BJP alleging TMC’s complicity in Sandeshkhali-like areas.
Data from recent drives reveals scale: J&K deleted 1.2 lakh fake voters post-Article 370 abrogation. Banerjee wants similar nationwide sweeps, integrated with PMJDY and electoral photo ID cards.
The ECI, balancing autonomy and pressure, might announce protocols soon. This could influence swing states, swaying voter sentiment.
Banerjee concludes optimistically: ‘Truth will prevail, and our democracy will emerge stronger.’ His demand spotlights a perennial challenge, urging collective action beyond partisanship for an untainted franchise.