Kolkata, March 15 West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said on Sunday that his party wants the Systematic Voters Verification (SIR) exercise to be completed before the upcoming assembly elections to ensure that no eligible voter is left out and ineligible names are removed.
Bhattacharya alleged that the ruling TMC has deprived people of their basic rights, asserting that a "new dawn" awaits the state if his party comes to power in the upcoming elections.
"We welcome the two-phase polls. However, the SIR process has not yet been completed. We hope the revision is entirely over to facilitate the elections," he said, speaking to reporters.
Recalling the party's "No SIR, No Vote" slogan, he said, "This (completion of the SIR exercise) has been our demand earlier, and it remains the same."
Bhattacharya, a Rajya Sabha member, urged the Election Commission to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fear-free atmosphere across the state.
He claimed that the TMC government had denied people basic rights such as access to clean drinking water, housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, livelihood opportunities, and the democratic right to exercise their franchise freely.
"Once the BJP comes to power, people's rights will be restored. Our government will reach out to all sections to build an inclusive system where the wishes and aspirations of every citizen are respected," he said.
He said the BJP would ensure the rule of law in the state and put an end to what he described as "divisive and provocative politics".
"Strict legal action will be taken against those who attempt to divide people along religious lines," he said.
Listing some of the party's promises, he said the BJP would implement the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission for state government employees, provide a monthly assistance of Rs 3,000 to women, and create employment opportunities to prevent migration of youths.
Bhattacharya welcomed the Election Commission's decision to conduct the upcoming assembly polls in two phases.
Responding to a question on the two-phase polling in West Bengal, unlike single-phase elections in some other states, Bhattacharya said the situation does not bring "glory" to the state and needs to change.
Referring to Bihar, he claimed that elections there were conducted without any violence.
"Even in Bihar, after the results were declared, there were no reports of houses of defeated opposition candidates being demolished or deaths due to political violence. One should compare that with the situation in West Bengal after the 2021 assembly elections," he said.
Bhattacharya also claimed that despite violence during the 2023 panchayat elections, party candidates managed to win seats in around 11,000 panchayats.
"This clearly indicates the possible outcome of the upcoming assembly elections," he said.
Elections in West Bengal will be held in two phases, with polling on April 23 and 29. The votes will be counted on May 4.