Amid SIR debate, Mamata accuses BJP of adding ‘outsiders’ to voters’ lists

The chief minister returned to Kolkata on Friday after a five-day visit to North Bengal, where she monitored flood-hit areas and oversaw relief operations. Upon her return, she began inaugurating Kali Puja pandals across the city.

Addressing the Bhabanipur Bijaya Sammilani, the Trinamool Congress supremo urged her party leaders and workers to stay vigilant during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, scheduled to start in November, and directed them to ensure voters’ rights are protected.

“I respect people who stay here from other states. But under the garb of elections, many outsiders come here illegally and book hotels and stay. Those who have a lot of money buy flats here. How can one person have their name in two places?,” she said.

The chief minister also expressed concern over the displacement of slum residents in Kolkata and asked TMC councillors to provide them with housing under the ‘Banglar Bari’ scheme.

“Living in shanties is no crime, but why will they [councillors] not try to revamp it? Someone will buy a plot and then forcibly remove the people residing there. Are they not humans?,” she said.

She emphasised the need for proper infrastructure and facilities in buildings and warned against the misuse of power to forcibly remove poor people. “I have the right to scold my councillors and my leaders. I warned them so that no one would forcibly remove the poor people. We will have to work with a humane approach,” the CM said.

“This time, water accumulated in Kolkata high-rises because those who built them did not do the dredging work properly. Many times, these builders do not even provide proper papers. The big buildings should have car parking facilities, but how will I pump out the water if they don’t have the proper system? This is why you should check if an establishment has all the proper facilities upon its completion,” Banerjee said.

Banerjee also addressed criticism over her comments on the alleged gangrape of a medical student in Paschim Bardhaman, stating she was misquoted.

“… the media presented my words from a different angle. Nowadays, we have the godi media. I say something, and they show something else. They are experts in distorting and spreading disinformation. But they don’t know that I always clarify,” she said.

Before leaving for north Bengal, the chief minister, when asked about the gangrape case, had said: “How did she (the medical student) come out (of the hostel) at 12:30 am? As far as I know, it happened in the jungle. I appeal to students who come from other states to not step out at night.”

The chief minister, meanwhile, appealed to citizens to cooperate with the administration and wished everyone a happy festive season, especially those affected by floods and landslides.

She reiterated her commitment to unity and peaceful coexistence, saying, “We believe in unity and peaceful coexistence. What we do is out of devotion and not for a photo-op.”