"BJP, PM Modi defeated in court": Abhishek Banerjee welcomes SC decision directing ECI to display names under 'logical discrepancies' category in Bengal

Barasat (West Bengal) [India], January 19 (ANI): TMC National General Secretary and MP, Abhishek Banerjee, on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision directing the Election Commission of India (ECI) to display the names of the electors falling under the 'logical discrepancies' category in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal.
Addressing a public meeting in Barasat, the TMC leader termed the court's decision a defeat for the BJP, stating that the apex court has accepted the party's demand of publishing the names in the 'logical discrepancies' category.
He said, "There was a hearing in the Supreme Court regarding SIR, with AITC having filed the case. Common people were being continuously harassed. The Election Commission attempted to strike off names. About 20 days ago, on December 31, we held a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner. It was suggested that the list of logical discrepancies be published. If they had published the list, the truth would have become clear. We mentioned that BLA 2 of AITC would be present at the hearing venue, but ECI rejected it."
"We stated that if the guidelines were not released, AITC would not leave the hearing centre. I am very happy today. The soil of North 24 Parganas is lucky for me; touching this soil means victory is certain. Today I heard that the Supreme Court has accepted AITC's demand and issued a verdict ordering the publication of the list of logical discrepancies. As far as I know, BLA 2 will also be allowed in the hearing centre," Banerjee added.
The Electoral Roll Officers' Network (ERONET) portal had flagged more than 1.2 crore names under the 'logical discrepancy' category, sparking a fresh row over the SIR exercise in the state.
Further, Abhishek Banerjee expressed confidence in TMC's victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
He said, "One crore names that were targeted to be struck off have been saved, and the victory belongs to the people of Bengal. Our voting rights were being threatened, but the Supreme Court has given them a firm rebuke. Today BJP and PM Modi have been defeated in court; in the coming days, they will be defeated by votes. This is not Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, or Gujarat. This land has shown the way to the freedom movement and the Renaissance. We never bow our heads to outsiders. The people of Bengal do not know how to sell their spine or live in slavery."
Earlier today, a three-judge bench led by CJI Surya Kant issued directions to the ECI on various pleas alleging procedural illegalities in the SIR exercise in West Bengal.
The apex court noted that the ECI has issued notices to certain persons described as falling under the 'logical discrepancies' category. Thus, with a view to enabling persons included in the category, the Court issued a direction to display the names of such persons at Gram Panchayat Bhavans, Block Offices, and Ward Offices.
The court asked the state government to provide adequate manpower to the ECI and the State Election Commission to entertain the documents and objections and to adhere to the hearing process for persons likely to be affected. In this regard, directions shall be issued by the ECI/State Government for the deployment of adequate personnel.
Persons likely to be affected shall be permitted to submit their documents before the authorised officers. The apex court instructed that an authority letter be issued in this regard. The bench instructed the persons in the category who have not submitted their claims and objections to do so within 10 days.
The deadline to file claims and objections (new voter name additions via Form 6, deletions via Form 7, and corrections via Form 8) was extended from January 15 to January 19, giving voters extra time to submit their applications. Hearings on these claims and objections will continue up to February 7, 2026. The Final electoral roll for West Bengal will be published on February 14, 2026. (ANI)