TMC Plans Major Anti-SIR Campaign After Diwali, Abhishek Banerjee To Lead November 2 Rally

Last Updated:October 14, 2025, 16:22 IST

Party sources told News18 that workers and supporters from across Bengal are expected to participate, making it one of the party’s biggest mobilisation drives in recent months

Party insiders say the SIR issue will be a key element of the TMC’s election campaign narrative. (PTI)

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is preparing for a large-scale political campaign against the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) of voter records after Diwali, positioning it as one of the party’s central issues ahead of the upcoming elections.

A massive anti-SIR rally is scheduled to take place in Kolkata on November 2, which will be led by TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Party sources told News18 that workers and supporters from across Bengal are expected to participate, making it one of the party’s biggest mobilisation drives in recent months.

At present, senior TMC leaders are engaged in Bijoya meet-and-greet programmes across the state, as part of a grassroots outreach campaign. Every block unit has been directed to connect with local residents and explain what the party describes as the “adverse impacts" of the SIR policy.

According to sources, while the Election Commission is fully prepared to implement SIR, TMC is determined to oppose it on every possible front. Party insiders say the SIR issue will be a key element of the TMC’s election campaign narrative, and the November 2 rally will serve as a launchpad for the movement.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already termed SIR as “another form of NRC", alleging that it is a mechanism through which “voters will be deleted" from the electoral rolls. Sources further reveal that the TMC aims to amplify this perception among its leaders and cadres and subsequently take the message to voters across the state.

Meanwhile, the BJP has strongly criticised the TMC’s stance. Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has been campaigning continuously, claiming that over one crore “illegal voters" would be identified and removed through the SIR process. He alleges that the TMC’s opposition stems from fear of losing its alleged “illegal vote bank."

As the political temperature rises, one thing is evident: after Diwali, West Bengal will officially enter full-fledged election mode.

Kamalika Sengupta

Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East...Read More

Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East...

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News politics TMC Plans Major Anti-SIR Campaign After Diwali, Abhishek Banerjee To Lead November 2 Rally

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