Mamata Banerjee Alleges SIR Aim Was to Help BJP Capture Bengal

September 26, 2026

Kolkata: Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the sole intention of the Election Commission of India (ECI) behind the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was to ensure that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could capture power in West Bengal.

Addressing a public meeting at Sreerampore in Hooghly district, Banerjee also referred to reported differences within the top leadership of the Election Commission and questioned the roles of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the Commission’s Information Technology Chief, Seema Khanna. Her remarks came amid ongoing political controversy over the SIR exercise and reports of differences within the poll panel.

Mamata Targets CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Banerjee referred to CEC Gyanesh Kumar as “Vanish Kumar” and said her movement, along with other anti-BJP forces, would continue until Kumar stepped down or was removed.

“Just as we caught the tricks of ‘Vanish Kumar’, we will similarly catch the others behind such wrongdoings. ‘Vanish Kumar’ must go. Until he goes, our united movement will continue,” she said.

She claimed that opposition parties were coming together at the national level to demand Kumar’s removal. Banerjee also referred to her telephonic conversation with CPI(M) leader M.A. Baby and said she would not consider party lines when the issue concerned a common cause.

“We will have to fight this issue together,” she said.

Mamata Calls for Opposition Unity Over SIR

Referring to the proposed INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi on September 30, Banerjee said parties across the country were coming together over the issue.

“We will fight unitedly. There is no need to see who is red, blue or yellow. We will all fight shoulder to shoulder to restore democracy. If the issue is of the people, there is no need to see which party joins the movement,” she said.

Reports have also indicated that opposition parties are considering a joint discussion on concerns surrounding the Election Commission and the SIR process at the September 30 meeting.

Banerjee Questions Police Action During Rally

Banerjee also questioned the role of the West Bengal Police during her rally.

“The police are not my enemies. Their job is to protect people. But what are they doing today? Last night, they found and arrested Trinamool supporters from their houses in Serampore to prevent anyone from coming to my meeting,” she alleged.

The allegations regarding police action were made by Banerjee during her public address.