New Delhi: Union Minister Giriraj Singh has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of allowing the state to become a “hub” for illegal immigrants, including Rohingyas, alleging that her government is compromising national security for electoral gains as the political row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls deepens.
Singh claimed the Trinamool Congress government was issuing official documents that help illegal immigrants spread across the country and alleged that the Bengal administration “runs on their support” while “spreading hatred” against the Constitution and Hindus. Responding to Banerjee’s criticism of the SIR exercise, he said her opposition reflected a looming “collapse” of her government, asserting that illegal immigrants would be removed and that states like West Bengal would “have NRC” in the future.
Echoing his remarks, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal called Banerjee’s stance on SIR “foolish”, stressing that the revision is the Election Commission’s mandate and warning that anyone obstructing its work would face legal consequences. Bihar minister Nitin Nabin also attacked the Trinamool chief, branding her rule “anarchic” and alleging she was trying to run the government with the backing of “Bangladeshi infiltrators”, while insisting she would fail to unsettle even West Bengal, “let alone the entire country”.
The confrontation intensified after Banerjee warned of “terrible chaos” once the draft voters’ list is published on December 9, marking the end of the first phase of the three-stage SIR. Addressing an anti-SIR rally in Bangaon, she cited internet issues and alleged misuse of technology, claiming that Artificial Intelligence was being deployed in the revision process to “replace genuine voters with false voters”.
Despite her strong objections, the Chief Minister has assured that her administration will help residents submit the necessary documents to ensure that legitimate voters are not dropped from the electoral rolls, even as the BJP continues to frame the SIR as essential to tackling alleged illegal immigration in the state.
(Inputs from IANS)