Suvendu Adhikari leads ‘Parivartan Yatra’ rally, demands ‘proper’ execution of SIR in West Bengal

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari led the Bharatiya Janta Party rally called ‘Parivartan Yatra’ (march for change) on the outskirts of Kolkata on Tuesday (November 4). The protesters demanded that all Bangladeshi infiltrators be deported from the country and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists be conducted completely across the state.

This comes as door-to-door distribution of census forms in the state began on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, and simultaneously, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a rally in central Kolkata to protest the SIR process.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, Mr. Adhikari led a BJP delegation and met the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal at his Kolkata office to appeal for a delegation to raise concerns about irregularities in the SIR process in some parts of the State and alleged interference by members of the ruling party.

Supporters of the BJP raised slogans and accused Ms. Banerjee and the ruling Trinamool Congress of manipulating the death of every individual in West Bengal to attribute it to SIR.

“We want a voter list free of errors and infiltrators. This rally is to show respect to the Election Commission, whereas Ms. Mamata is holding a rally with infiltrators,” Mr. Adhikari said.

BJP supporters carried posters reading “Detect. Delete. Deport,” a message to alleged spies. Mr. Adhikari also urged the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) not to fall prey to any provocation by members of the ruling party and allow the Election Commission of India to take all legal steps to protect them. This comes at a time when there are multiple allegations by BLOs in the state that they are facing threats from various sections of society.

“If they [TMC] “If you harm or attack any of our Booth Level Representatives (BLA), BJP leaders like me will deal with them,” said Mr. Adhikari, who also said that if the TMC does not allow the SIR process to be conducted and delays the elections, they will ensure that the State comes under the President’s Rule.

Calling for ‘parivartan’ (change) in West Bengal, he said, “SIR was carried out at least eight times and it was necessary for the interest, integrity and democracy of the country. Why has the TMC suddenly become aware of this issue and is trying to derail the process. People have seen through their tricks.”

Mr. Adhikari also encouraged the TMC to stop the SIR process in West Bengal and termed their opposition to the exercise “unconstitutional”.

According to official records shared by the CEO’s West Bengal office, more than 16 lakh census forms were distributed across the State on the first day of the door-to-door operation.

At her rally, Ms. Banerjee promised that she would not allow a single genuine voter to be excluded from the voter list and accused the BJP of labeling everyone who speaks Bengali as Bangladeshi.

“So many years have passed since partition, now I will have to prove my citizenship? The last SIR took 2 years, so why is it being rushed for 2 months this time?” Ms Banerjee raised the questions.