New Delhi, Oct. 17 -- West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Saturday demanded a fresh SIR of electoral rolls, alleging that the previous one was marred by violence, obstruction and attacks on officials.
The Rajya Sabha MP claimed that documents were burnt, election officials attacked, and offices set on fire during the exercise under the previous TMC government. He also alleged that BDOs, anganwadi workers and BJP booth-level agents faced attacks. Praising CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Bhattacharya reportedly said he deserved recognition for conducting the electoral process transparently. Reacting to ongoing protests over the SIR, he reportedly acknowledged the democratic right to protest but questioned the political forces behind the agitation, alleging that it lacked public support. "Mobocracy can never replace democracy," he said, warning against attempts to challenge the administration and judiciary. He also denied BJP involvement in attacks on CPI(M) bookstalls near Puja pandals in Kolkata, stressing Bengal's tradition of pluralism. He claimed that Puja celebrations had changed under the new government, alleging that idol immersions previously required police and administrative permission in some places. Praising this year's pandals, he highlighted installations addressing social concerns, including one in Bagbazar focusing on the declining condition of commercial theatre.
Speaking about bail granted to former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh, he said bail did not establish his innocence, while emphasising that emotions could not guide the law. "Those associated with the 'Abhaya' movement are getting disheartened. But the law does not run on emotion. Bail is also a legal right of a person," he said, referring to the protests over the rape and murder of the doctor. "It cannot be established that he is innocent or has no link with the crime just because he has got bail. In the court of public opinion, it is established that they were involved," he said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.