Political Turmoil in Bhawanipur Following Voter List Changes in West Bengal

The publication of revised voter lists in Bhawanipur, West Bengal, has led to significant political unrest, with over 47,000 names removed and 14,000 under review. This situation has intensified speculation ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, as opposition parties claim the changes could impact the electoral landscape. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's stronghold is under scrutiny, with the BJP asserting its chances of victory. As political leaders react to these developments, the implications for the upcoming elections remain uncertain.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 28, 2026, 19:27 IST

Political Reactions to Voter List Updates

In West Bengal, the publication of updated voter lists on Saturday has sparked renewed political activity in Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's constituency, Bhawanipur. Over 47,000 names have been removed, while more than 14,000 have been categorized as 'under review'. The issue of the Special Intensive Review (SIR) continues to generate political buzz ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

The Bhawanipur assembly constituency, widely regarded as Banerjee's stronghold, had 206,295 voters when the SIR process commenced on November 4 last year.

Significant Changes in Voter Registration

The draft list published on December 16 last year indicated that 44,786 names were removed from the Bhawanipur assembly constituency. The final list released on Saturday saw an additional 2,324 names eliminated, bringing the total to 47,094. This figure is approximately 11,000 less than the margin of over 58,000 votes that Banerjee secured in the 2021 Bhawanipur by-election.

In addition to the removed names, 14,154 voters have been placed in the 'under review' category, pending verification of their documents. If these names are ultimately excluded, it could significantly reduce the total number of voters in the constituency, leading to intense speculation ahead of the assembly elections.

Political Implications of Voter Removals

The number of removed votes in Bhawanipur holds considerable political significance, as this constituency has witnessed tight contests in recent years. In the 2021 assembly elections, senior Trinamool Congress leader Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay won the Bhawanipur seat by a margin of over 28,000 votes. After Banerjee's defeat in Nandigram, Chattopadhyay vacated the seat to facilitate her by-election campaign. Banerjee subsequently won the by-election with a margin exceeding 58,000 votes, reinforcing her hold on Bhawanipur.

Opposition Claims and Responses

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has consistently asserted that it will secure victory in this constituency in 2026. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari and former state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar have frequently visited the Bhawanipur area, framing it as a battle for prestige in the upcoming assembly elections. In response to the changes in the voter list, Majumdar stated that the removed names pertain to duplicate or deceased voters, emphasizing that there remains an opportunity to apply for registration even after the list's publication.

Concerns Over Voter List Accuracy

So far, nearly 47,000 names have been removed. However, some speculate that Mamata Banerjee may not have the courage to contest from Bhawanipur this time. The Trinamool Congress has dismissed the BJP's claims as mere political rhetoric. A senior party leader stated that voters whose names were 'wrongly' removed still have the chance to apply for registration. The leader asserted, 'There is an opportunity to reapply. It would be incorrect to consider this a final decision. We are aware of the Election Commission and BJP's dirty tactics, but they will not gain any advantage from it.'