In poll-bound West Bengal, tensions between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) escalated on Monday, as clashes erupted over the submission of Form 7, a process under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls that allows objections to the inclusion of voters. The incidents highlight the rising friction between the two parties amid preparations for upcoming assembly elections.

Clashes in Asansol

One of the most significant confrontations occurred in Asansol, outside the office of the sub-divisional officer. BJP workers had gathered to submit a set of Form 7 objections, which raised concerns about potentially fake entries in the voter list. According to the TMC, the BJP was attempting to get the names of several thousand legitimate voters removed. In response, TMC workers confronted the BJP team, resulting in a physical altercation.

Agnimitra Paul, BJP legislator from Asansol, alleged that the state government was suppressing opposition participation in the revision process. She claimed, “Mamata [Banerjee] has unleashed her party workers so that BJP workers can’t submit Form 7 to raise objections against fake voters. Our workers are being attacked. Police are detaining BJP workers. Documents are being torn. This is an attack on democracy.”

Submission of Form 7

Form 7 allows citizens or political parties to object to the inclusion of certain names in the electoral roll. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI) data, the BJP has submitted the highest number of objections so far, with 591 Form 7 submissions, while the TMC has submitted only 13. This discrepancy underscores the BJP’s claim that a large number of entries in the draft roll are fraudulent or irregular.

Incidents Across the State

Violence was not limited to Asansol. In Lalbagh, Murshidabad, BJP workers attempting to submit Form 7 faced obstruction, leading to clashes. Social media videos showed stones being hurled at vehicles, with locals claiming one of the damaged SUVs belonged to a BJP leader accompanying the workers.

In Durgapur, BJP cadres blocked the National Highway, alleging that TMC workers were preventing the submission of Form 7 and physically assaulting their members. Similar incidents were reported from Jamuria and Hooghly. In Kalyani, TMC workers staged a protest against BJP legislator Ambika Roy.

Earlier incidents had been reported in Bankura, Malda, and other districts, suggesting a pattern of rising confrontations during the SIR process.

Accusations and Allegations

The escalating violence reflects mutual accusations between the two parties. Last week, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to manipulate the electoral rolls by threatening government officers to remove genuine voters’ names and enroll voters from BJP-ruled states.

Conversely, BJP leaders have accused state officials of bias, claiming that in several areas—including Malda, Khatra, Jorasanko, Chandernagore, Bhatpara, and Kumargram—officials refused to accept Form 7 from party workers. BJP leader Amit Malviya argued that such refusals obstruct the democratic process and prevent proper scrutiny of the draft rolls.

Political Implications

The SIR process is a critical exercise ahead of elections, ensuring that the electoral roll is accurate and free from duplication or fraudulent entries. Clashes between party workers over Form 7 submissions reveal deep mistrust between the TMC and BJP, raising questions about impartiality in electoral administration.

Political observers note that the high number of BJP objections reflects the party’s aggressive approach to challenge the voter lists, while the TMC’s alleged interventions indicate attempts to protect its electoral base.

ECI Oversight

The Election Commission of India oversees the SIR and is responsible for ensuring that all objections under Form 7 are properly processed. While the Commission has mechanisms to accept and verify such objections, reports of obstruction and violence indicate challenges in implementation at the ground level.

The incidents also raise concerns about the role of law enforcement. While police are tasked with maintaining order, BJP leaders have alleged that some officials have been complicit in preventing Form 7 submissions. Such claims, if substantiated, could escalate tensions further as election season progresses.

Broader Context

West Bengal has a history of intense political rivalry, with previous elections marked by clashes and accusations of voter manipulation. The ongoing SIR process has become a flashpoint for both parties, as controlling the accuracy of electoral rolls can have strategic implications in tightly contested constituencies.

The confrontation also reflects the high stakes in the upcoming elections, where both parties are mobilizing resources aggressively. The BJP’s emphasis on deleting allegedly fake voters and the TMC’s counter-claims of protecting genuine voters highlight the increasingly combative electoral environment.

Next Steps

Moving forward, both parties are expected to continue closely monitoring the SIR process. Political analysts suggest that the Election Commission may need to intervene more assertively to prevent further violence and ensure the orderly submission and verification of objections.

The ongoing clashes underscore the necessity of robust oversight and the impartial enforcement of electoral laws to protect the democratic process. With the election countdown underway, incidents like those in Asansol, Murshidabad, and Durgapur signal a potentially contentious environment in the state in the weeks to come.

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