Kejriwal Highlights Political Backlash Against SIR Process in West Bengal
Arvind Kejriwal has raised concerns about a political backlash against the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process in West Bengal, following an unprecedented voter turnout. He claims that the SIR initiated by Modi is facing strong opposition from the electorate. This comes after the Chief Election Commissioner announced record voting percentages in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The data reveals that West Bengal achieved a remarkable 91.91% turnout, surpassing Tamil Nadu's 84.80%. Kejriwal's comments reflect the growing discontent among voters regarding the SIR process, indicating a significant shift in political sentiment.
Apr 24, 2026, 15:38 IST
Political Reactions to SIR Process
Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, asserted on Friday that there is a growing political backlash against the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process in West Bengal. He pointed out that following a record voter turnout in the state, the SIR initiated by Modi is turning against him. Kejriwal expressed on X that it is becoming evident that the people of West Bengal are voting strongly against the SIR, indicating that Modi's SIR is backfiring.
Record Voter Turnout Announced
This statement came shortly after Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced on Thursday that West Bengal and Tamil Nadu witnessed the highest voter turnout since independence, with polling concluding at 6 PM. Kumar noted that the election commission salutes every voter in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu for achieving the highest voting percentage since independence.
High Voter Participation in Assembly Elections
The voting for the assembly elections concluded on Thursday evening. According to data from the Election Commission of India, West Bengal recorded an impressive 91.91% voter turnout in the first phase, significantly higher than Tamil Nadu's 84.80%. This high turnout reflects active voter participation amidst stringent security measures across all constituencies. Several districts in West Bengal reported over 90% voter turnout, with South Dinajpur leading at 94.85%, followed by Cooch Behar at 94.54%, Birbhum at 93.70%, Jalpaiguri at 93.23%, and Murshidabad at 92.93%.