‘Inhuman workload’: Mamata asks ECI to stop voter rolls revision after BLO’s death in Bengal, Suvendu replies

This comes after the death of an anganwadi worker serving as a BLO in Mal, Jalpaiguri, who died by suicide reportedly under crushing SIR-related pressure.

"BLOs are now operating far beyond human limits," CM Mamata Banerjee said.

Amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reached out to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar and has flagged serious concerns regarding how it has been imposed on people of the state and the way it is being conducted.

This comes after the death of an anganwadi worker serving as a BLO in Mal, Jalpaiguri, who died by suicide purportedly under crushing SIR-related pressure.

Also read | At a Bengal border outpost, SIR scare and a surge in people crossing over to Bangladesh: ‘They said we will be caught… didn’t want to take the risk’

In her letter to the CEC, she said, “I have time and again flagged my serious concerns in respect of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the way it has been thrust upon the people. The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and citizens is not only unplanned and chaotic, but also dangerous. The absence of even basic preparedness, adequate planning or clear communication has crippled the process from day one.”

Sharing herewith my latest letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, articulating my serious concerns in respect of the ongoing SIR…. pic.twitter.com/7cbOOQl7Ax

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 21, 2025

She pointed out how several others have lost their lives since this process began in the state. “A revision that previously required three years is now being forcibly compressed into three months, subjecting BLOs and officials to inhuman working conditions and forcing common people under the shadow of fear and uncertainty,” she said.

Also read | West Bengal voter list 2025: How to check your name in SIR list: Know whether your BLO has uploaded your enumeration form

She further added, Under these circumstances, I strongly urge and expect immediate corrective action. Continuing this unplanned, coercive drive not only endangers more lives but also jeopardises the legitimacy of the electoral revision itself.”

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari hit back, calling Mamata Banerjee’s move a “desperate attempt” to sabotage the Voter List Purification Drive.

In a post on X, Adhikari shared a letter he wrote to the CEC, claiming it “completely exposes the politically motivated and factually bogus” allegations made by the Chief Minister regarding SIR of electoral rolls in West Bengal.

A Strong Rebuttal to Mamata Banerjee’s desperate attempt to sabotage the Voter List Purification Drive.

I have sent a detailed letter to Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner; Shri Gyanesh Kumar, completely exposing the politically motivated and factually bogus letter written by… pic.twitter.com/TXngNmFhTT

— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) November 20, 2025

He alleged that Banerjee’s concerns were not about safeguarding genuine voters or BLOs, but a “panic-driven effort” to protect “lakhs, possibly over a crore, of bogus voters and illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators” whose names were allegedly added to voter rolls by TMC leaders to rig elections.

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