Suvendu Adhikari Attacks SIR Misinformation, TMC-CPM

Kolkata: “An attempt is being made to reject the very election in which the people gave us a massive mandate. Questions are being raised about SIR and the Election Commission's process in such a manner that an attempt is being made to undermine people's faith in the entire electoral system,” uttered Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. 

Today, the Chief Minister of West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari present at the Press conference and seems very disappointed over the recently reports of SIR. He also anguish over the statement made by the Trinamool Congress and CPM. Bengal CM believes hat deliberate confusion and misinformation are being spread with the intention of questioning the clear mandate given by the people in the recent elections. 

Further,  the Bengal CM said that the decision regarding SIR was not taken unilaterally by the Chief Election Commissioner. According to him, the joint statement issued by the Chief Election Commissioner and the other Election Commissioners makes this clear. He said, “The Special Intensive Revision decision was taken unanimously. Therefore, the political campaign being built around one individual has no basis.”

On the Supreme Court's directions, the Chief Minister said that the Supreme Court has intervened at various stages of the SIR-related process in West Bengal and, pursuant to the court's directions, hearings and decisions on several matters were conducted through judicial officers.

Bengal CM also added “The very issue on which the Trinamool Congress itself had approached the Supreme Court, and the process that took place pursuant to the court's directions, is now being questioned. This is a very serious matter." 

The Chief Minister further said, “SIR is good in Kerala because the political equations are different there; but SIR is bad in West Bengal—people can see through this double standard.”

Attacking the TMC-CPM relationship, the Chief Minister said that the Trinamool Congress, which once built its political identity through a movement against the CPM, is today conducting joint agitations with the CPM.

He said, “The very CPM against whose long rule the Trinamool Congress was born has today become its political partner. From the Assembly to the streets—people are witnessing this political understanding.”

Shri Adhikari further said that a recent incident during a vote in the Assembly, when a section of the Trinamool Congress and the CPM's lone MLA took the same position, also indicates this emerging political equation.

On the Serampore rally, he said that there was no correlation between the claims of a massive movement and actual public support. He claimed, “The presence of people at the rally in Serampore itself showed the extent of the real ground support behind this so-called movement.”

The Chief Minister said, “Those who were in power in West Bengal for decades—where is their mass base today? And those who built their political identity by fighting the CPM are now joining hands with the CPM.”

On the Mamata AITC issue, the Chief Minister said that recent changes concerning the name and political identity of the Trinamool Congress have also raised questions among the people. He said, “The name has changed, the symbol has changed, and the party has also been divided into multiple factions. In this situation, their political position has become even more unclear to the common people.”

Alleging misinformation over SIR, he said, “The attempt to reject the massive mandate given by the people amounts to disrespecting the democratic verdict.”

He further alleged that opposition parties are attempting to create political confusion because they are facing investigations and legal action over allegations of corruption and various administrative irregularities. Referring to allegations related to Awas Yojana, social security, recruitment, coal-sand, cattle smuggling and other corruption cases, he said, “Confusion is being created over SIR simply to divert people's attention from all these issues.”

On the allegation of attacking the judiciary, the Chief Minister said, “In the name of SIR, while attacking the Election Commission, a process involving the directions of the Supreme Court and the role of judicial officers is also being questioned. This is deeply concerning.”

He further said, “The judicial officers had a role in the process concerning the 27 lakh names that are being discussed so extensively. Their appointment and authority are backed by court directions. Therefore, through false propaganda, the entire responsibility cannot be placed on the Election Commission or the BJP.”

Challenging the opposition on Kerala, the Chief Minister said that if SIR is genuinely anti-democratic, then the Trinamool Congress, Congress and the Left parties should launch a similar movement in Kerala as well.

He said, “There will be protests over SIR in West Bengal and Bihar, but not in Kerala—why this double standard? Raise the same issue in Kerala as well. Take to the streets there along with your political allies.”

The Chief Minister further said, “The Trinamool Congress was born by fighting against the CPM. The same Trinamool is today joining hands with the CPM politically. The people of Bengal are witnessing this change.”

He said, “The politics of spreading misinformation over SIR, attacking the Election Commission and rejecting the mandate given by the people will not continue for long. The people of Bengal are watching everything.”

Concluding, the Chief Minister said, “The sole purpose of this press conference is to place the facts before the people regarding the confusion and misinformation being spread over SIR and to appeal for respect for the democratic mandate of the people.”