Bengal CM blames Mamata for 27 lakh voter deletion, not BJP

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday shifted blame for the deletion of approximately 27 lakh voter names from the state's electoral rolls to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, distancing both the opposition BJP and the Election Commission of India from the controversy.

Adhikari contended that judicial officers executed the deletions on the basis of directions issued by the Supreme Court in a case originally filed by Banerjee herself. The statement marks an escalation in the dispute over voter roll management in the state, with the ruling BJP attempting to attribute responsibility to the state's ruling Trinamool Congress.

The deletion of such a large number of names from electoral rolls has raised concerns about voter disenfranchisement in the state. The issue has become a focal point of political tension between the state government and opposition parties ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.

Adhikari's assertion that the deletions were court-mandated based on Banerjee's own petition presents a complex legal and political situation, though specific details regarding the Supreme Court case and the precise grounds for the deletions remain unclear from his statement.

The matter underscores ongoing debates in India regarding electoral management, voter verification procedures, and the balance between preventing fraud and ensuring inclusive participation in elections across different states.