BJP flags ‘disproportionate’ increase of Muslim voters in Bengal; TMC calls claim ‘baseless’
The BJP stated that the number of Muslim voters more than doubled in 37 Lok Sabha seats out of 42 in West Bengal, but Hindu electors doubled in only three Lok Sabha seats between 2002 and 2025.
The BJP claims Muslim electors in Bengal have risen sharply over 23 years, citing demographic shifts and alleged illegal migration. (Representative photo)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently submitted a document to the Election Commission of India (ECI) claiming that the share of Muslim voters in West Bengal increased by 127.7 per cent while the percentage of Hindu electors rose by 72.3 in the last 23 years.
The document submitted by the BJP reads, “From 2002 to 2025, total electors in West Bengal rose from 3.93 crore to 7.24 crore, an 84.1 per cent increase. Hindu electors grew from 3.1 crore to 5.3 crore, up 72.3%, while Muslim electors rose from 83.9 lakh to 1.9 crore, a whopping 127.7%. Hindu voter % (percentage) fell from 78.68% to 73.62%, and Muslim % rose from 21.32% to 26.38%.”
The saffron party also claimed that the number of Muslim voters more than doubled in 37 Lok Sabha seats, but Hindu electors doubled in only three Lok Sabha seats.
“At the Assembly level, the broadening is sharper because ACs (assembly constituencies) are smaller and more sensitive to local shifts. The number of Muslim-dominated ACs has increased from 45 to 60 between 2002 and 2025… On multiplicative change, Muslim numbers have more than doubled in 231 ACs compared with 28 ACs for Hindus; Muslim numbers have more than tripled in 7 ACs,” the document further reads.
The BJP also alleged that Kolkata and its adjoining districts of North and South 24 Parganas have seen huge illegal migration from Bangladesh.
Jagannath Chattopadhyay, General Secretary, Bengal BJP unit, said, “The challenge of meaningful SIR (Special Intensive Revision) in West Bengal has to be gauged in the context of the demographic pattern of the state. ECI should focus on demographic change, and the cleansing process should be done accordingly. If illegal migrants manage to keep their names in the voter list, then SIR is of no use.”
The ruling TMC countered the BJP’s claims. TMC spokesperson Jayprakash Majumder said, “The data that the BJP is producing is baseless. There was no census organised after 2011. The Muslim population increase can only be gauged through the census report. In general, the fertility rate of West Bengal is lower than the national rate. The fertility rate of West Bengal is less than 2.1 per cent. Then, how can such an increase be possible? So, it is basically baseless and another example of the BJP’s divisive politics.”
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
