“SIR protest should be held in Bangladesh, not in Bengal”: Himanta
Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls should be directed at Bangladesh rather than West Bengal, maintaining that the exercise is intended to update voter lists and identify ineligible names.
Speaking during his visit to poll-bound West Bengal, Sarma defended the revision process, saying it is necessary to ensure that only legitimate Indian citizens are included in the electoral rolls. He suggested that objections to the exercise stem from concerns over individuals allegedly entering from across the border.
The Assam Chief Minister also criticized Mamata Banerjee for opposing the move, alleging that her stance is politically motivated rather than focused on safeguarding electoral integrity. Banerjee, however, has consistently raised concerns about the intent and implementation of the revision.
The remarks come in the run-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, with political parties sharpening their positions on voter verification and illegal immigration as key campaign issues.
