FazTimes Media | Kolkata | August 6, 2025: In a strong statement that has caused a new political controversy in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has again accused the BJP-led central government of trying to introduce the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state. This time, she claims the government is using the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process as a way to do this.

Mamata Says "SIR Is a Step Toward NRC"

The Chief Minister has always been against the NRC and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and she was very clear in her criticism of the Election Commission. "They have started to quietly push for NRC in Bengal," she said. "First, they gave us Aadhaar cards, then voter ID cards, and now they want to decide who is a citizen and who isn't."

Al Jazeera reported that similar concerns were raised during the CAA-NRC protests in 2019–2020. There were big protests in Bengal, especially among Muslims and Dalits who were afraid of losing their rights. "Who made the Aadhaar cards?" Mamata asked, pointing out how much money it took to make them. Now they are saying Aadhaar, ration cards, and other documents aren’t enough to prove citizenship? What is this planned drama? She said that the BJP wants to scare people and split the community before the 2026 Assembly elections.

The Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision is normally a standard process to update the voter lists. But recently, the timing and greater attention in some areas have made people worried.

Local political experts think the BJP is trying to create a "clean" voter list, especially in border regions like Malda, Murshidabad, and North 24 Parganas. This might result in removing many names from the lists. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) feels this is unfair and targeted.

“This isn’t just about updating records,” said Debanjan Mitra, a political analyst in Kolkata. “For Mamata Banerjee, it’s about identity and fear—especially for minority groups. By connecting SIR with NRC, she’s building a message that hits hard with Bengal’s varied voters.”

Rising Tensions Over Flood Management and Federal Neglect

While speaking to flood victims in Ghatal, Banerjee didn’t just talk about the NRC. She also strongly criticized the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for what she called "irresponsible" decisions in releasing water into Bengal, which caused major flooding.

“This happens every year, but this time the DVC has set a new low. They haven’t cleaned the rivers for decades. When it rains in Jharkhand, they send the water flooding into Bengal,” she said. “That’s enough. If we come back to power after 2026, we will build a dam and send that water back to Jharkhand.”

BBC News reports that the Ghatal area has been suffering from severe flooding for the last 20 years. The lack of cooperation between the central and state governments has left thousands of people at risk each year.

In a heartfelt tone, the Chief Minister said, “People here suffer every year. We have asked the center for help with the Ghatal Master Plan, but they never act. Now we are doing it on our own.” The Ghatal Master Plan, costing ₹1,500 crore, is meant to build embankments, improve drainage systems, and create floodgates to reduce frequent floods. The plan has been waiting for central government approval for a long time, but Mamata Banerjee says her government has already begun some work using its funds.

She said, “This is how Bengal is treated—like a second-class state. When floods happen in other states, the center gives them thousands of crores. But when it happens in Bengal, they don’t care.”

Her words show that many people in the state feel the central government doesn’t care about Bengal’s problems, especially since the state government is led by a party not in the ruling group.

Bengali Identity Under Threat?

Mamata Banerjee also voiced worries about what she called a cultural attack on the Bengali language and identity. “Now they are saying Bengali is not a language? This is an insult to our heritage,” she said, pointing out controversial comments by BJP workers who reportedly dismissed Bengali as a language.

“Let them arrest me under the National Security Act,” Mamata said strongly. “I will keep speaking in Bengali. I will stand up for my people’s identity.” In the past, there have been tensions over language and culture, especially in a state known for its strong pride in literature and language. For many, Mamata’s loud support for Bengali is meaningful at a time when regional cultures are often pushed aside by a larger national story.

Economic News: A Bright Spot

Even though there has been political uncertainty, Mamata Banerjee shared positive updates about the economy. On X (formerly Twitter), she announced that West Bengal saw a 12% increase in GST collections compared to the same month last year. In July 2025, the state collected ₹5,895 crore, up from ₹5,257 crore in July 2024.

The Union government has released preliminary data showing that the cumulative GST growth in the state up to July is 7.71%. Mamata said, "This growth shows that the economy of Bengal is moving in the right direction. People are spending more, businesses are performing better, and overall, there is more economic activity. The increase is a sign that the economy is improving."

Local Reactions: Relief and Rage

In Ghatal, people affected by the floods had a mix of feelings. Some were happy that the Chief Minister came to visit and promised help, but others were upset because help was late, crops were lost, and homes were still flooded.

Ramesh Bera, a farmer, said, “She comes every year, but nothing changes. We hear many promises, but we need real action. Let the dam be built. Let the water cease to flow.

Many locals also supported Mamata’s position on the NRC. Fatima Khatun, a daily wage worker, asked, “We were born here. Our parents were from here. Now we have to prove we are citizens? That’s scary.”

Conclusion: The Battle Ahead

With the 2026 Assembly elections coming up soon, Mamata Banerjee seems to be working on her political messaging more carefully. She is talking about flood help, how the economy is doing, and issues related to identity, while also pointing out that the central government hasn't been doing enough. These comments are part of a bigger plan to bring more support from people in rural areas, from minority groups, and from those who are struggling economically.

It's not clear yet if the Election Commission's SIR exercise is really a hidden way to push for NRC, but these ideas are hitting close to home in West Bengal, where people still remember the protests against CAA and NRC.

As the monsoon rains keep falling on Bengal's villages, the political tensions keep growing and show no sign of stopping.

Our main goals at FazTimes media are to be accurate, confident, and follow excellent journalistic standards. We check every news story we share with a number of trustworthy and separate sources to make sure it's true.

We have read this report along with articles from major news outlets throughout the world, including BBC News, Reuters, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, NDTV, The Economic Times, and The Indian Express.

We want to keep the highest standards in global journalism so that our readers can trust the information they acquire.

Related Posts