North Bengal visit | SIR is ‘Super Emergency’, stop it now: Mamata Banerjee to EC

“It is impossible to conduct SIR successfully and completely in just two months. SIR is being imposed upon common people just like demonetisation,” Banerjee said. “Not a single rupee was given by the Centre after such a tragedy in North Bengal. You have kept all the officials busy intentionally so that they cannot work for three months. This is a Super Emergency.”

The chief minister said the revision was causing panic and distress. “I still stand by this: SIR should be stopped. This is a deliberate attempt to malign people. So many people have died; not a single condolence message from the Election Commission,” Banerjee said, urging the poll body to halt the exercise immediately.

“I remember when Mr Seshan was election commissioner, he said the EC is for the people, not the government. I am sorry to see its current leaders only yapping ‘yes sir’ and ‘yes sir’. You could do this (SIR) in Bihar because you could get away with it, but not in Bengal, where we will question you at every step. You only want to satisfy your boss, not the public. You cannot demolish democracy,” she said.

The chief minister also targeted the Union government over the issue of infiltration, questioning why Union Home Minister Amit Shah should not take responsibility when border security lies with the BSF, a central agency.

“If the BSF is responsible for guarding the borders, why should you (Amit Shah) not be held accountable for infiltration? As a home minister, you must resign first. You have been in the chair for more than 10 years. You cannot keep on lying and mislead people,” Banerjee claimed.

She also referenced reports of migrant residents in New Town who allegedly fled their homes in fear of the SIR process, saying a “fake narrative” was being created in the city.

Mamata used the analogy of earlier national policies to underline her charge. “Just like demonetisation was ‘notebandi’, SIR is ‘votebandi’. It is another form of super emergency,” she said, adding that the hurry to complete the revision ahead of elections raised serious questions about motive and methodology.

She warned that the state would resist any attempt to curb voters’ rights.

“The BJP can send me to jail or even cut my throat for speaking out against the SIR, but do not curb the voting rights of people in Bengal,” she said.

Banerjee also attacked the central government’s economic policies, calling the Goods and Services Tax “a blunder” and accusing the Centre of “looting people” in its implementation.

Banerjee also targeted the Centre accusing it of not releasing funds due to the state for MGNREGA, the 100-day job guarantee scheme, despite an order of the Supreme Court.

“For four years, all funds have been stopped. Even after the Supreme Court’s order, funds for the 100-day work scheme have not been released,” she said.

The chief minister alleged that the Centre has not released funds for the rural housing scheme either.

“Even after the Centre stopped funds, we have provided Rs 14,400 crore to build houses for 12 lakh eligible families. Another 16 lakh families will receive the first instalment for housing construction by December or January,” Banerjee said, adding that over one crore beneficiaries have received homes through various state projects.

Banerjee raised concerns over repeated natural disasters in north Bengal, criticising Centre for its “indifference.” “There are 14 hydel projects in Sikkim that block water flow. Whenever there is excess water, floods hit , destroying parts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Naxalbari,” she said.