New Delhi: Before the West Bengal Assembly elections, political turmoil has intensified regarding the voter list. The draft voter list released after the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process conducted by the Election Commission has sparked a new debate in the politics of the state. According to the draft, the total number of voters in Bengal has reduced from 7.66 crore to 7.08 crore, that is, names of 58 lakh 20 thousand 898 voters have been removed from the list.

The Election Commission says that this process is not final yet and amendment in the voter list is possible after claims and objections. However, as soon as the draft came out, the question started arising as to which areas and which communities’ votes were cut the most. Analysis of the data indicates that the number of name deletions is relatively high in Hindi speaking and Matua dominated areas, while the deletions have been much less in Muslim dominated areas.

Why were the names of lakhs of voters removed?

According to the Election Commission, the main reasons for deletion of names under the SIR process include death of the voter, permanent migration, duplication i.e. registering the name at more than one place and non-submission of the counting form. The Commission has made it clear that this is only a draft list and changes are possible in the next phase.

Highest reduction in Hindi speaking areas

Analysis of media reports and draft data has revealed that names of voters have been removed the most in assembly constituencies where Hindi speaking population is more. According to the report, this reduction was seen most in Hindi speaking areas, whereas relatively fewer names were removed in Muslim dominated areas.

On which seats were most names cut?

According to the draft, the biggest reduction in the voter list has taken place in Kolkata and its adjoining assembly constituencies.

• Kolkata North: 25.92%

• Kolkata South: 23.82%

Apart from this, the reduction on major seats was as follows-

• Jorasanko: 36.66%

• Chowringhee: 35.45%

• Howrah North: 26.89%

• Kolkata Port: 26.09%

• Bhawanipur (Mamata Banerjee’s seat): 21.55%

• Barrackpore: 19.01%

• Asansol North: 14.71%

• Asansol South: 13.68%

The number of Hindi speaking voters in these areas is very high and politically they are considered a strong stronghold of BJP.

Growing concern of Matua community and BJP

In Bengal politics, Matua community is considered very important for BJP. According to the SIR draft, names of a large number of voters have been removed even in Matua dominated areas:-

• Kasba (South 24 Parganas): 17.95%

• Sonarpur South: 11.29%

• Bangaon North (North 24 Parganas): 9.71%

Both Hindi speaking and Matua communities are considered the core vote banks of BJP. In such a situation, deletion of names in these areas can have a direct impact on the party’s strategy.

Discussion of UP-Bihar connection

West Bengal has long been the main destination for migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Many families have been living here for generations. During the SIR process, it is possible that some people may have chosen the voter list considering their place of origin as their primary identity. This is said to be the reason why the number of name deletions has been more in Hindi speaking areas.

The draft data also indicates that the Matua and non-Bengali migrant labor population has suffered the most exclusion in this process.

expert opinion

According to former MP and CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty, a major reason for the deletion of names in Hindi speaking areas could be the migrant laborers from Bihar and UP living there. He believes that it is possible that he may have decided to keep his name in the voter list of his home state. The data also shows that the Matua and non-Bengali migrant populations have been most affected.

Less cuts in Muslim dominated areas

According to the draft voter list, the rate of withdrawal of names in Muslim dominated assembly seats has been very low. According to the 2011 census, Murshidabad has 66.3% Muslim population and Malda has 51.6% Muslim population.

• Murshidabad: Only 4.84%

• Malda: 6.31%

• The figures remained below 10% in other Muslim dominated seats also.

• Domkal: 3.4%

• Rejinagar: 5.04%

• Shamsherganj: 6.86%

• Manikchak: 6.08%

• Chopra: 7.44%

• Golpokhaar: 7.03%

• Islampur: 8.17%

• Chakulia: 8.5%

• The number of names being cut in any Muslim dominated seat did not cross 10%.

TMC’s counterattack

TMC general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee targeted BJP citing the draft voter list. He said that the Election Commission data has proved false the BJP’s claim that one crore Rohingyas and Bangladeshis are living in Bengal.

Referring to the figures of the Election Commission, Abhishek Banerjee said that according to the Commission, only about 1.83 lakh fake voters have been found in the state. He said that BJP should apologize to the public for calling Bengal a den of infiltrators. He said that the way BJP is defaming all Bengalis by calling them Bangladeshis is shameful. This should stop now and they should apologize.

TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty also said that BJP’s narrative is based on lies. He alleged that the Center got the SIR done before the census, whereas the real picture would have come out after the census. According to him, the draft list shows that there are people from UP and Bihar in Bengal and not Bangladeshi infiltrators.

BJP’s allegation

BJP has made serious allegations regarding the SIR process. Senior leader Rahul Sinha said that due to pressure from TMC, booth level officials could not work impartially. He said that the Election Commission has already been informed in this regard.

Leader of Opposition Subhendu Adhikari said that the Election Commission depends on the state administration for the SIR process and the administration in West Bengal has deliberately manipulated the voter list. BJP has written a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar alleging scam in SIR and has also accused the Mamata government of violating the principle of neutrality and misusing the police.