Samik Bhattacharya, BJP MP and West Bengal unit president, called for a new Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state on 31 October 2026. He argued that the earlier SIR was incomplete and that more ineligible names could have been removed if officials were not intimidated.
Key Developments
- Bhattacharya demanded a fresh SIR of electoral rolls in West Bengal.
- He highlighted that Bihar conducted an SIR before its Assembly polls, while Haryana and Delhi did not, yet the BJP won both states.
- Approximately 91 lakh names were deleted in the earlier West Bengal SIR; Bhattacharya claimed over 20 lakh fake Swasthyasathi cards were identified.
- He praised the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, joking that he deserves a Padma Bhushan.
- The BJP’s victory in West Bengal ended the 15‑year rule of the Trinamool Congress. Bhattacharya said the party has fragmented into three factions.
Important Facts
- Date of demand: 31 October 2026.
- Deleted entries in previous SIR: 91 lakh.
- Fake Swasthyasathi cards identified: >20 lakh.
- Political context: BJP’s first Assembly win in West Bengal; TMC’s decline.
Exam Relevance
The episode illustrates the functioning of India’s electoral machinery, a core topic in GS2: Polity. Understanding the role of the CEC, the process of updating electoral rolls, and the political impact of SIR exercises helps answer questions on election reforms and party politics.
Way Forward
- Conduct an independent audit of the 2026 SIR to verify deletions and address allegations of intimidation.
- Ensure transparent guidelines for future SIR exercises across states to maintain electoral integrity.
- Monitor the fragmentation of regional parties like the TMC, as it may reshape state‑level politics.
- Strengthen the autonomy of the Election Commission to prevent political pressure on officials.