West Bengal Assembly Elections: The Impact of Voter List Revision
SIR Impact On Bengal Polls: The Numbers Game With Rahul Kanwal
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The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal has removed approximately 89 lakh voters, raising concerns about its impact on the upcoming assembly elections. The ruling Trinamool Congress claims this is politically motivated, while the BJP could potentially gain seats depending on voter demographics and swing factors. The elections are set for April 23 and 29, with results on May 4.
- 01The SIR has removed around 11.6% of West Bengal's electorate, potentially affecting election outcomes.
- 02The Trinamool Congress won 215 seats in the last election, while the BJP secured 77 seats.
- 03If deleted voters predominantly support the Trinamool, the BJP could gain up to 174 seats.
- 04Experts suggest varying scenarios, with potential BJP seat projections ranging from 116 to 177 seats based on voter swings.
- 05The elections will take place in two phases on April 23 and 29, with results announced on May 4.
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The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal has sparked controversy ahead of the assembly elections, with approximately 89 lakh voters removed, accounting for 11.6% of the electorate. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) alleges that this revision is politically motivated, while the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission deny these claims. In the previous elections, the TMC won 215 seats compared to the BJP's 77 seats. The impact of the voter deletions is significant, especially in districts where the TMC's winning margins were slim. Projections suggest that if the deleted voters are predominantly TMC supporters, the BJP could secure up to 174 seats. Various scenarios indicate that with a 1.5% swing against the TMC, the BJP could gain 160 seats, while a 3% swing might push their total to 177 seats. However, the situation remains fluid, and the final outcome will depend on voter sentiment regarding issues like corruption and law enforcement. The elections are scheduled for April 23 and 29, with the counting of votes on May 4.
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The removal of a significant number of voters could influence the electoral outcome, particularly in districts with close margins, potentially altering the political landscape in West Bengal.
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