Mamata Banerjee Alleges BJP Using AI To Remove 54 Lakh Voters From Bengal Rolls
West Bengal former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a big claim and has alleged BJP using artificial intelligence to remove the names of 54 lakh voters from the state’s electoral rolls.
Addressing a public meeting in Barjora in Bankura district, Banerjee also alleged that the BJP was targeting a much larger number of voters and claimed that the party had set a target of removing 1.5 crore names from the electoral list.
Banerjee made the allegations while criticising the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. She warned voters against what she described as attempts to deprive people of their voting rights.
She remarked, ” Don’t believe every video on the social media. Today there is AI. They (BJP) have deleted names of 54 lakh voters with the help of AI. Just see that the BJP is doing this. Duplicate names are being made to snatch your voting rights. When you will go to the polling booth, you will find out that you cannot vote as someone having the same name will cast your vote. Keep you eyes and ears open. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) means your doom.”
While claiming that AI was being used to remove voter identities, she also advised people to stay vigilant about information spreading on social media.
The allegations were made by Banerjee at the political gathering and were not independently established in the report.
Banerjee also demanded that Booth-Level Agents (BLAs) be permitted to remain present during hearings conducted as part of the SIR exercise.
She added, “The BLAs are not allowed inside hearing polling centres. Instructions are being issued through the WhatsApp. If you (Election Commission) have guts then give us in writing. We will go to the people’s court and the court of law for justice
The Trinamool Congress chief said her party would approach both the public and the courts if its concerns were not addressed.
She further asked party-appointed BLAs to remain available at SIR assistance camps set up by the Trinamool Congress to help people who had been summoned for hearings.
Banerjee Cites Cases Of Elderly People
During her address, Banerjee also raised concerns over elderly residents being called for SIR hearings.
She referred to an elderly person from Purulia, whom she claimed died by suicide after being humiliated during an SIR hearing. She also questioned the decision to summon very elderly citizens to hearing centres where they may face difficulties accessing the premises.
Banerjee cited the example of a 95-year-old woman who, according to her, had been asked to appear for a hearing and provide proof of citizenship.
She stated, “What was the crime of an elderly person from Purulia? He was called for an SIR hearing yesterday. Humiliated by this, that person has committed suicide. Don’t you have sympathy? If your parents were called for hearings, wouldn’t you be ashamed? How come a 95-year-old woman be summoned for a hearing that, too, in a office where you have to climb the stairs? That person, too, has to give proof of her citizenship. Have some shame and stop harassing people of Bengal in the name of SIR.”
The Chief Minister urged authorities to consider the difficulties faced by elderly residents and accused them of harassing people in the name of the electoral-roll revision exercise.
The Election Commission’s position and any official response to Banerjee’s specific allegations were not included in the source report.