West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that the BJP is attempting to add people from Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to the state’s voter list to gain an advantage in the Assembly elections.
West Bengal, governed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), is voting for its 294 Assembly constituencies in two phases, with a fierce contest between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP.
Speaking at a TMC election campaign meeting in Chandrakona in West Midnapore district, Banerjee urged voters to back TMC candidates across constituencies, saying they should vote as if she were contesting everywhere. She claimed the BJP was taking “shortcuts” to secure victory.
Banerjee alleged that the BJP planned to bring voters from other states by train and have them vote in constituencies such as Asansol and Kharagpur, similar to what she claimed was done in Bihar.
She said she has written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar seeking immediate intervention, and warned of a major protest if attempts were made to include “illegal” out-of-state voters. She also accused the BJP of turning constitutional institutions into party offices and said they must be reclaimed.
