The political climate in West Bengal has intensified as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) escalates its attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) amid controversy surrounding the recent suicide and suicide attempt linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The deceased, identified as Pradeep Kar (57) from Khardah, was found dead after leaving a note referencing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the SIR process. In a separate incident in Cooch Behar, another man reportedly attempted suicide, fearing his name might be removed from the voter list due to a spelling error.
Visiting the bereaved family, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee sharply criticized the BJP, alleging that the opposition was using fear tactics to manipulate ordinary citizens during the SIR process. He urged people to resist any attempts by BJP workers to demand birth certificates or ancestral documents, calling such moves an invasion of privacy.
The BJP, however, accused the ruling TMC of spreading panic for political gain, claiming that the SIR exercise is being deliberately misrepresented. Party leaders have demanded a probe into the suicide and accused TMC of exploiting the tragedy for propaganda ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
As the state gears up for polls, the SIR process, intended to ensure accurate voter rolls, has become the latest flashpoint between Bengal’s two dominant political forces.
