The ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR) of the voter list of 12 states of the country started from November 4, which will continue for one month i.e. till December 4. But, the maximum uproar regarding this process was seen in West Bengal. Where TMC under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee opened a front against the Election Commission and the Modi government at the Centre. But, the sharp attitude with which the opposition to SIR had started is gradually slowing down. Or, it can also be said that Mamata Banerjee is now retreating from confrontation. Come, let us understand what is the reason for Mamata Banerjee to shift gears.
When the Election Commission announced ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR), Mamata Banerjee Had termed it as ‘surgical strike on democracy’. Trinamool Congress workers were ordered to go door-to-door to protest against the BLO (Booth Level Officer). TMC expressed apprehension that names of more than one crore voters could be deleted in Bengal. Especially in Muslim-dominated areas like Murshidabad, Malda. TMC threatened to go to Supreme Court, announced to take to the streets. But just a week later, Mamata suddenly changed gears. TMC was instructed to cooperate with BLO, add new voters, register objections on wrong deductions. The question arises why this U-turn?
Is there a fear of imposition of President’s rule?
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari openly said on 30 October 2024, ‘Mamata’s anarchy is becoming the basis for imposing Article 356 (President’s rule) in Bengal.’ The central government already had weapons to put pressure on Bengal regarding the poor law and order situation in Bengal. But, this never happened. But, Mamata knows that if she stops a constitutional process like SIR, then the Central Government can take action against her on the pretext of contempt of a constitutional institution. And the threat of President’s rule before the 2026 assembly elections can directly challenge his power. Therefore the opposition was transformed into ‘controlled cooperation’.
Supreme Court Is there any fear of strictness?
In July 2024, the Supreme Court had rejected RJD’s petition to stop SIR in Bihar. The court clearly said that election Commission Its autonomy cannot be interfered with. TMC’s legal advisors warned Mamata that going to SC before time would mean getting labeled as ‘obstructing’. Mamata Banerjee government has been criticized before in Kolkata High Court and Supreme Court, and Mamata dealt with all those challenges very well. But now she knows that she cannot legally oppose an action like SIR while sitting on the post of Chief Minister. Therefore, she takes her protest politics to a limit, and then stops there. From where the scope of the Central Government, Election Commission and Supreme Court begins.
Protest because voter base also has to be saved
There is a general assessment that many people in Bengal have been issued Aadhaar cards fraudulently. BJP calls such people ‘infiltrators’ and accuses Mamata Banerjee of patronizing them. He is accused of giving shelter to Rohingya infiltrators. In response to which Mamata asks BJP that Amit Shah should tell how many Rohingyas are there in Bengal? How many infiltrators are there? A similar debate has gone on during Bihar elections also. But, Muslim votes have a significant influence in the politics of Bengal. Who outright work as vote bank for Mamata Banerjee. Mamta wants to retain this voter base of hers. If there is fear of NRC among Muslims, then Mamata goes ahead and links SIR with NRC. And in her 4 km march she reiterates that if even one person’s name is wrongly deleted from the voter list, she will topple the Modi government. Mamta Banerjee goes ahead and gives security guarantee to the Muslim vote bank.
His activism regarding SIR is not just because of his opposition to BJP and Election Commission. She does not want to loosen her grip on any such issue with the help of which Congress and the Left can regain their ground in Bengal. Rahul Gandhi is already attacking the Election Commission and is raising issues of irregularities in the voter list. But, Mamata in Bengal does not want to share the copyright of this issue with anyone. While opposing SIR, she strikes an interesting balance in which her credibility is preserved and the work of the Election Commission is also done.
—- End —-
Source link
[ad_3]
