Kolkata, February 28 – Political reactions intensified in West Bengal on Saturday over the ongoing issue of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and recent political developments, with leaders from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the principal opposition BJP exchanging sharp remarks while expressing confidence in the judiciary.
West Bengal Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said the matter related to SIR has now moved beyond the political arena and is under judicial scrutiny.
"The matter has now progressed and is currently under the purview of the Judiciary. The Supreme Court of India is looking into it, and we have complete faith and trust in our judiciary. Whatever decision is taken will be appropriate," she added.
On the nomination of senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy to the Rajya Sabha, Bhattacharya said the move reflects the Trinamool Congress' commitment to women's representation in public life.
"We do not merely talk about giving women their rightful place in society; we demonstrate it through our actions. The key driving force behind this work is Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Supporting her leadership, and representing the youth, is Abhishek Banerjee, our respected Member of Parliament," she added.
Meanwhile, in Nadia district, BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar dismissed allegations leveled against his party as "baseless."
"It is purely baseless; where is the evidence for it? The BJP always supports Hindus, while the TMC is against Hindus; they are for Muslims. They cry a lot for Bangladeshi Muslims, Rohingyas, and deceased voters," Sarkar alleged.
On the SIR matter, the BJP MP said the Trinamool Congress had initially accused the Election Commission of India of bias.
"From the very beginning, the Trinamool Congress, Mamata Banerjee, and the entire team targeted the ECI as working for the BJP. But the Election Commission has never been under the control of the BJP. Currently, the matter has moved before the Supreme Court of India. Whatever is happening is being done by the apex court," he added.
In Balurghat, Minister of State and former West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar also commented on the SIR list controversy, saying that the electoral voter list in circulation was not final.
"The electoral voter list that has come is not a final list. Some names are approved, and the rest are being reviewed by judicial officers. The judicial officers will review and those who are eligible will be included. Now, the protests are politically motivated," he said.
On the Trinamool Congress' nomination of former West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar and Menaka Guruswamy for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, Majumdar alleged political favouritism by the Trinamool Congress.
"The Trinamool Congress has rewarded both of them. Rajeev Kumar was rewarded by the Trinamool Congress for his work during the Saradha scam inquiry. And the lawyer you are talking about, she fought a case on behalf of Mamata Banerjee in the RG Kar rape and murder case. If someone gets the Rajya Sabha to fight a case, it is clear that there is no worthy person in Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress to go to the Rajya Sabha," the former State BJP President claimed.
Commenting further on former West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, Majumdar said, "I am firm on what I have to say about Rajeev Kumar. And what I said, that such officers who are serving in the police force and working for Trinamool Congress, they should leave their uniform and hold the flag of Trinamool -- today it has become true."
This political exchange comes amid heightened tensions in the state, with leaders across party lines reiterating their positions while the SIR remains under consideration before the apex court.
