EC, Not Voters, Decides Now Who's Next In Power; Book, Poetry Over SIR By TMC Chief

Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the Election Commission (EC) of taking over the role of the voters in deciding the party to be brought to power.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair, Ms Banerjee also blamed the EC's special intensive revision (SIR) of the voters' list for the death of 110 people out of fear and stress in the state.

She alleged, “The rule was earlier that people, instead of the EC, would decide who would come to power or not. Now the EC, before polls, is deciding who will be brought to power. This means curb on democratic rights.”

The CM claimed, “It can't happen. All should protest this. I should not stay silent just because my house is safe while my neighbour's house is on fire. I can't live happily if people in my area are unhappy.” She also pointed out the voters' plight due to the SIR.

“We should not forget the harassment of the people. They are made to wait in queues for five-six hours daily. Logistic discrepancy never existed in SIR. It is happening only in Bengal and no other state even after the draft list was out,” Ms Banerjee argued.

She then revealed she has written a book and a set of poems over the SIR. The Trinamul Congress supremo added, “I have published 153 books so far. Nine more will be out this time. One of them speaks a part of my political life. Another is about the harassment of SIR. Since this year is ‘26, I have penned 26 poems which will be out under the title of SIR.”

“I write very little. You can call it negligible. I'm not wise. I'm simple, considering myself a less important person just like someone from the downtrodden.”