Kolkata: Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday started training of booth-level officers (BLOs) and supervisors in Kolkata sparking more speculation of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bengal after Bihar.
During the training session, while talking to the media at Nazrul Manch in Kolkata, state’s chief electoral officer, Manoj Kumar Agarwal mentions that such a decision can be taken only by the ECI.
“We are also giving SIR training because we cannot call BLOs every time. We are ready for every exercise even SIR. SIR will happen in the future. SIR matter is sub judice. There are 81,000 booths in West Bengal and more 14000 will increase. We are giving training to every booth worker,” said Agarwal.
Notably, on Saturday training took place of BLOs of Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 parganas and Murshidabad. On Sunday the training will be conducted in Midnapore.
Several BLOs said that such training takes place every year but this year the training started early.
They also confirmed that the brochure that they were given had mention of SIR.
Incidentally, SIR is currently being held in Bihar that will go for polls later this year. This SIR had triggered political controversy and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had warned of ‘bigger protest’ if SIR is implemented in Bengal. Mamata also slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and alleged that ECI is working at the behest of the BJP.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari claimed that there are at least 1.25 crore illegal immigrants in the voter lists and also that all of them will be sent back.
“I assure all the Hindus and Indian Muslims and Hindus from Bangladesh who came to this side due to religious persecution will be protected. Nothing will happen to them. It is a guarantee given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. All Bangladeshis and Rohingya will be pushed back after SIR. Nothing can help Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee this time. All the loot will be stopped,” mentioned Adhikari.
