BJP voter purge targeting minorities and women backfired, says Bengal minister

In the middle of a high-stakes election battle in West Bengal, state Finance Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) women’s wing chief Chandrima Bhattacharya has accused the BJP of attempting to influence electoral outcomes by targeting minorities and women through voter list deletions—an effort she says ultimately “backfired”.

The 70-year-old leader — who holds multiple portfolios including Finance (Independent Charge), Health, Family Welfare and Land Reforms — struck a combative tone while defending her party’s governance record and addressing key controversies shaping the polls. Bhattacharya is contesting from the Dum Dum Uttar seat.

‘Judiciary will safeguard voting rights’

On the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Bhattacharya downplayed concerns while placing strong faith in the courts.

She said people have seen Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee “fight” on the issue, adding that judicial intervention has already begun to address grievances. “Even if a name is missing from the voter list, that does not mean a citizen’s right to vote disappears,” she noted, pointing to clarifications by the Supreme Court.

At the same time, she acknowledged the disruption caused to voters. Many, she said, could not reclaim their voting rights in time for the election, squarely blaming the Election Commission for the situation.

‘Plan to target minorities and women failed’

Rejecting the suggestion that voter deletions could hurt the TMC electorally, Bhattacharya argued the strategy had the opposite effect.

“They intended to target minorities and mahilas, but in doing so, they also removed names of Hindu voters,” she said. “That harassment has turned even their own supporters against them.”

No anti-incumbency, claims minister

Dismissing concerns about anti-incumbency after 15 years of TMC rule, Bhattacharya credited Mamata Banerjee’s leadership and the party’s grassroots connect.

“We don’t call it a TMC government—it is the ‘Ma Mati Manush’ government,” she said, invoking the party’s slogan to underline its focus on people, land, and welfare. According to her, consistent delivery on promises has kept public trust intact.

Sharp attack over Women’s Reservation Act

Bhattacharya also took aim at the BJP-led Centre over the Women’s Reservation Act, alleging it was passed but deliberately not implemented to mislead voters.

“They passed it in September 2023 ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but did not notify it. This was done to fool women, especially in Bengal,” she said, adding that women voters are unlikely to be swayed by such moves.

Highlighting her party’s record, she pointed out that women already hold significant representation within the TMC—37.8% in the Lok Sabha and 46% in the Rajya Sabha—achieved without a reservation mandate.

She also recalled that one of Mamata Banerjee’s earliest reforms after taking office in 2011 ensured at least 50% reservation for women in panchayats, a move she said has transformed grassroots leadership, particularly in North Bengal.

RG Kar case ‘a tragedy, not a political liability’

Addressing the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case, Bhattacharya called it a deeply tragic incident but rejected Opposition claims of administrative failure.

She maintained that the state police had conducted a thorough investigation before the case was handed over to the CBI, asserting that central investigators did not uncover anything beyond what the state had already found.

Confident of victory despite deletions

Projecting confidence, Bhattacharya dismissed concerns that voter deletions in her constituency—estimated at around 45,000 names—would dent her prospects.

Citing her electoral track record, she said her winning margin would surpass previous victories. “The TMC will form the government with a full mandate,” she asserted.