Prominent Congress leader Prasenjit Bose has declared that Rahul Gandhi is prepared to lead a strong ‘anti-SIR’ (Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls) protest in West Bengal, should the Election Commission of India (ECI) repeat the alleged errors made during a similar exercise in Bihar. This potential movement would unfold in the lead-up to next year’s crucial assembly elections.
Bose, a respected economist and social activist who recently joined the Congress party, anticipates a significant realignment among opposition parties against the BJP. This shift is expected to occur once the special intensive revision of electoral rolls commences in West Bengal, likely after the festive season concludes.
A notable visual associated with this discussion captures Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi addressing the media on the ‘Vote Theft’ issue at the Indira Bhavan in New Delhi on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Discussions around documentation requirements for electoral processes have seen Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raise concerns, asking, “How will people find parents’ birth certificates?”
During an interview, the 51-year-old party veteran emphasized, “Rahul Gandhi, as the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, is already leading the anti-SIR movement in Bihar, and his revelations about the alleged biased nature of the exercise have not only significantly boosted the Congress party’s political standing but also energized the entire INDIA bloc’s grassroots efforts.” Bose asserted, “If the Election Commission fails to learn from its experiences in Bihar, Gandhi will undoubtedly replicate this strategy in West Bengal, as well as in other states like Assam, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, all of which are slated for elections next year.”
The former Left Front leader noted that while pressing issues such as alleged corruption under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, violence against women and children, and the plight of Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-governed states would certainly be key electoral topics in West Bengal, the SIR process itself is poised to become a central focus once it officially begins.
Regarding potential alliances, Bose clarified, “Any political realignment prompted by the SIR that might lead to the Congress collaborating with the TMC against the BJP hinges entirely on the stance of the current ruling party. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek have consistently adhered to their ‘Ekla Chalo Re’ (go alone) policy, and the Congress will not be seen ‘extending a begging bowl’ for a seat-sharing deal.”
Bose, recognized for his influential role as a student leader at JNU and as a leading strategist for the SFI from the mid-1990s to early 2000s, formally joined the Congress in Kolkata on September 15. His induction took place alongside other notable leaders who transitioned from the Left to the Congress, including Syed Naseer Hussain and Kanhaiya Kumar. He had previously resigned from the CPI(M) in 2012 due to disagreements over the party’s support for Pranab Mukherjee’s presidential candidacy, leading to his eventual expulsion.
Despite the strong rhetoric, Bose acknowledged that the ECI might adopt a more restrained approach to the SIR exercise in other states. “One never knows,” he mused, “given the significant opposition the poll panel encountered in Bihar and the subsequent intervention by the Supreme Court over the contentious process, they might opt for a less aggressive stance in West Bengal.” This aligns with CM Mamata Banerjee’s strong stance: “Won’t let anyone take away people’s voting rights,” as she has previously affirmed.
Bose also highlighted the critical role of the TMC administration during the SIR process, suggesting its actions could significantly influence the state’s political landscape before the elections. He raised concerns, alleging, “Considering the TMC’s questionable history regarding free and fair elections in the state, their credibility is unfortunately low. With an administration heavily politicized, where state government officials often operate under party directives, we harbor serious doubts about the impartiality of the Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are effectively Trinamool recruits, in carrying out the SIR exercise.”
Bose further claimed, “Unlike Bihar, where marginalized communities—women, Dalits, backward classes, and Muslims—faced unfair deletions from the rolls, in West Bengal, the TMC might attempt to remove the names of opposition party supporters.”
Emphasizing the Congress’s core mission, Bose stated that the party is engaged in an “ideological battle, with the Constitution at its heart.” He then contrasted this, alleging, “The TMC, however, lacks any such commitment.”
When questioned about the perceived success of the INDIA bloc and ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar compared to the Congress-Left alliance’s poor electoral performance in West Bengal, Bose attributed these differing outcomes primarily to the absence of clear political programs in the latter. He elaborated, “I firmly believe that the public does not trust alliances that lack concrete agendas. In Bihar, opposition parties are united by a common issue, fostering broader political unity and a shared program. When this evolves into a seat-sharing agreement closer to the elections, it will gain public credibility. This crucial element has been missing in West Bengal since the TMC assumed power.” The ECI’s own position has been articulated as, “Election Commission, and no other authority, decides when to conduct SIR,” as conveyed to the Supreme Court.
When asked about his prospective role within the Congress, Bose expressed his willingness to contest the upcoming assembly polls, provided the circumstances are favorable. He affirmed, “I am ready to serve the party in any capacity the leadership deems fit – be it as a strategist, a grassroots activist, or a combination of both. Should the situation require me to contest an election, I am equally prepared to embrace that responsibility.”