Bihar model: Bengal to get clean electoral rolls before 2026 polls
The Statesman | 19 July 2025
The BJP state president, Shamik Bhattacharya today hinted at the adoption of a ‘Bihar model’ for preparing the electoral rolls ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
Speaking in Durgapur, he said: “The new electoral roll will not allow a single Rohingya infiltrator to be included, and no Bangladeshi Muslim immigrant will be accommodated, we promise this. We are determined to clean up Bengal’s voter list at any cost.”
Mr Bhattacharya also issued a direct challenge to Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, stating: “She may suspect this is an attempt to implement the NRC through the back door. She is free to interpret it that way—we don’t mind. But we will remain firm in our agenda to resist any attempt to turn Bengal into an Islamic republic or to gain control over the state’s chicken neck corridor.”
Mr Bhattacharya further clarified that the party will not compromise on its stated principles to accommodate anyone on the Prime Minister’s dais during his visit.