Congress Protests Against BJP at Kolkata's Election Office

Congress activists protested in Kolkata over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, targeting the BJP-led government. The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to address procedural disputes. Tensions in West Bengal rise ahead of state elections, with incidents of political clashes over voter list revisions.

Congress workers took to the streets outside the Election Commission's office in Kolkata on Tuesday, voicing their discontent against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal. Their protest chants targeted the BJP-led central government, echoing 'BJP Haaye Haaye, PM Modi Haaye Haaye'.

As the Special Intensive Revision continues in the state, the deadline for claims and objections recently extended to January 19, giving voters more time to submit new voter applications, deletions, and corrections. Hearings on these are set to persist until February 7, 2026, with the final electoral roll release scheduled for February 14, 2026.

In the backdrop of escalating political tensions in West Bengal ahead of the legislative assembly elections, clashes erupted outside the Lalbagh SDO Office between TMC and BJP supporters over Form 7 submissions. Allegations of misconduct were leveled at TMC MLA Asit Majumdar by BJP, claiming he tore up Form 7s at the office, a charge Majumdar fervently denied.

The Supreme Court has intervened, instructing the Election Commission of India to make public the names of voters in the 'logical discrepancies' category as part of the ongoing revision. A bench led by CJI Surya Kant called for transparency, urging the display of these names at local government offices. The court also emphasized the importance of adequate state support to the ECI in managing the electoral review process.

(With inputs from agencies.)