In Kolkata, on April 3, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee stated that his party would stand by those whose names were deleted from the electoral rolls after the publication of supplementary electoral rolls, and would also address alleged attempts to deny genuine voters their rights.
He accused the BJP of putting sustained pressure on the Election Commission to delete the names of genuine voters and include those from other states through Form 6. He said, "We must be vigilant 24/7 to prevent the electorate of Bengal from losing their voting rights."
Banerjee, who was addressing a rally in Khanakul, West Bengal's Hooghly district, in support of the TMC candidate, said, "We will be vigilant to prevent the deletion of any authorized voter. We will not allow it to happen."
He said that the next hearing date in the Supreme Court is on April 6. "We will wait. But I want to emphasize that if your name is not on the list, our party will contact the CEO's office. Also, if your name is missing, you can file an online appeal through our department."
Banerjee claimed that a few days ago, the TMC detected an attempt to submit large numbers of Form 6 files to the CEO's office in Kolkata.
"The BJP is trying to influence the Election Commission to include the names of voters living outside Bengal in the electoral rolls, repeating their strategy in the Maharashtra assembly elections, where they similarly omitted the names of lakhs of legitimate voters and then included the names of voters from other states. Bengal is not like other states. Bengal will not allow the BJP's plan to succeed," he said.
Accusing the BJP of doublespeak, he said that while it professes its love for backward castes and tribals, in reality, BJP-ruled states have the highest number of atrocities against people from backward classes and minorities.
He claimed that in the 2023 NCRB report, Uttar Pradesh is at the top with 15,130 incidents, followed by Rajasthan with 8,450 and Madhya Pradesh with 8,229.
Banerjee urged voters to maintain peace during the campaign.
"When BJP candidates visit your area, treat them with respect and politely ask them about their performance. Ask them about the deletion of names, but please remain peaceful. Everyone should be allowed to campaign peacefully, and you should give your response through the EVM," he said.
Alleging that the BJP was trying to control the Election Commission, the Diamond Harbour MP said, "They have the remote control, but we have the EVM button, which they cannot take away from us."
Referring to a controversy involving a BJP leader's remarks on social reformer Raja Rammohan Roy, Banerjee said, "Those who insult Bengali luminaries have no right to ask for votes in Bengal."
Earlier, at a rally in Joypur, Purulia district, Banerjee accused the Narendra Modi government of causing hardship through "mismanagement" of issues such as LPG supply, demonetisation, and the lockdown.
"The prices of LPG cylinders have risen from Rs 400 to Rs 1,000, milk from Rs 28 to over Rs 60, and kerosene from Rs 14 to Rs 40. The prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed," he claimed.
"The Modi government only forces people to stand in long queues – from LPG dealer camps to SIR hearing camps, from bank branches and ATMs after demonetisation. It never considers the suffering and misery of the people," he said.
Banerjee also referred to the lockdown period, which "was declared by the Modi government in an unplanned manner," and how it compounded the misery of thousands of migrant workers from Bengal who were stranded at their workplaces due to the sudden shutdown and had great difficulty in returning.
Accusing BJP MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato of "doing little to improve the living conditions of the electors in Purulia Lok Sabha constituency," Banerjee said, "I challenge both Mahato and the local BJP MLA, Narahari Mahato, to present a breakdown of the projects they have implemented for the people."
"If you can prove even 10 paisa you have managed to secure from Modi, I will never ask for votes for TMC from here anymore. Let there be an open debate where you and I will sit face to face on a stage," he added.
Listing the initiatives of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the poor, he said, "Despite the Centre blocking funds under the PM Awas Yojana, our CM has mobilized funds for the 'Banglar Bari' project, and 32 lakh families have already received homes."
"From building roads under the Pathashree project to supplying clean drinking water to households, the Mamata Banerjee government has undertaken a slew of development projects in the district, including Joypur," he added.
Banerjee wanted to know what happened to Mahato's earlier election promise to build a super specialty hospital in the area, as people have to rush to Jhalda and Purulia for medical needs.
"We have been in power in West Bengal for 15 years, and our chief minister delivers on every promise. The BJP, which has been in power at the Centre for 12 years, should present its report card. What about their promise of Rs 14 lakh in every bank account that Modi made during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls?" he said.
"The BJP is in power in 15 states. I challenge them – implement even one scheme like Mamata Banerjee's Lakshmir Bhandar in any state," Banerjee said.
The elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases - on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.