New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to visit New Delhi in February to stage a major protest against the Election Commission of India over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll. The proposed visit comes amid intensifying political tensions in the state, where the SIR exercise has become a contentious issue ahead of the upcoming elections.
The Chief Minister is said to be deeply concerned over reports of deaths allegedly linked to the SIR process in West Bengal. These concerns have added to her criticism of how the revision exercise is being carried out. Despite repeated communications with the state’s Chief Electoral Officer, she is understood to be dissatisfied with the responses received so far, prompting her to escalate the issue beyond the state.
The SIR exercise began in West Bengal on November 4 and was immediately met with opposition from the ruling party. On the first day itself, Mamata Banerjee, along with senior party leaders, led a protest march in Kolkata, signalling strong resistance to the process. Since then, the issue has remained at the centre of the political debate in the state, with the Trinamool Congress accusing the election authorities of acting in a manner that could adversely affect voters.
During her proposed visit to the national capital, Mamata Banerjee is expected not only to protest against the Election Commission but also to seek wider opposition unity on the issue. The aim would be to build a collective political response against the SIR exercise and raise concerns at a national level. Party leaders believe that taking the issue to Delhi would amplify their message and draw greater attention to what they describe as serious procedural and humanitarian concerns.
While the exact dates of the visit have not yet been finalised, there is a possibility that it could coincide with an ongoing session of Parliament. Senior leaders within the party have also indicated that the visit would be used to highlight the situation in West Bengal and sharpen political attacks on the Chief Election Commissioner.
The proposed Delhi visit is being seen as a significant political move that could shape the broader opposition narrative on electoral processes and institutional accountability in the months ahead.
