Mamata's fresh warning to BJP amid SIR: 'If you target me in Bengal, I'll shake the nation'

Drawing parallels with the BJP’s campaign in Bihar, Mamata claimed that people there failed to recognise the party’s “tactics,” but warned that Bengal would not fall for the same strategy.

She also issued a stern warning, saying she would “shake the entire nation” if she or any resident of Bengal were targeted.

“If you come after me in Bengal—and I take any attack on my people as an attack on myself—then I will shake the whole country. After the elections, I will travel across India,” she declared.

Speaking at an anti-SIR rally in Bongaon, the Trinamool Congress chief reassured the public that the Election Commission has no authority to strike off genuine voters and urged people not to be afraid.

“SIR takes three years to complete. The last one was in 2002. We have never opposed SIR, but we have made it clear that no genuine voter—especially those receiving welfare benefits—can be removed. The BJP is preparing lists in their party offices, and the EC is following their script. The Election Commission must stay neutral, not turn into a BJP commission,” she said, addressing members of the Matua community.

West Bengal is currently undergoing a voter list revision, requiring all electors to submit a partially filled Enumeration Form to Booth Level Officers by December 4. The draft electoral roll will be released on December 9.

Accusing the BJP of targeting certain communities and trying to rig the electoral process, Mamata said, “The BJP cannot beat me on my turf,” reaffirming her promise to defend the voting rights of every citizen in the state.

She added that the BJP’s attempts would fail despite its use of central agencies and resources.

Raising doubts about the fairness of the SIR process, Mamata referenced the sudden cancellation of her helicopter flight, calling it a BJP “conspiracy” meant to stop her from attending the rally.

She said she still reached Bongaon by road to speak to the people, particularly the Matua community.

She also criticised the BJP’s renewed push on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), alleging that forms were being handed out selectively to influence voters ahead of the elections.

“Now they are shouting about CAA and distributing religion-based forms only because polls are approaching,” she said.

Warning of long-term consequences, Mamata added, “When you apply for CAA, you are declaring yourself a Bangladeshi seeking Indian citizenship. That could later be used to label you a foreigner. Use your own judgment—don’t let social media or godi media mislead you.”

Touching on issues of language and identity, the Chief Minister said, “Our mother tongue is Bengali. I speak Bengali, and I was born in Birbhum. If they want, they can call me Bangladeshi as well!”

“Bengali has many dialects depending on the region, but the language remains Bangla,” she added.

Invoking the Constitution, she said, “Dr Ambedkar drafted the Constitution with deep thought. It calls for harmony among all religions.”

She accused the BJP of tormenting citizens and engaging in “Adharma in the name of Dharma.”