Kolkata (West Bengal) [India] July 10 (ANI): Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has alleged that a large number of fake voters exist in Bengal, including infiltrators who have been registered as voters. Adhikari emphasised the need to 'cleanse' the voter list, citing a significant increase in population in districts such as Cooch-Behar, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas.

Adhikari suggested that measures similar to that in Bihar should be taken in West Bengal to address the issue of infiltrators.

On June 24, the Election Commision directed that large sections of voters in Bihar are required to submit proof of citizenship to remain on the electoral rolls.

While speaking to reporters on Thursday, Adhikari said, 'There are a lot of fake voters in Bengal. Infiltrators are also listed as voters. This has to be cleansed... They way population has increased especially in Cooch-Behar, South 24 Paragana, North 24 Paragana.. it should happen..like What is happening in Bihar should also happen in West Bengal...'

On the deportation of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in other states, Adhikari claimed that action is being taken against infiltrators, and that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is protecting Rohingya Muslims, who he described as infiltrators rather than refugees.

Adhikari said that, 'They (investigating agencies) are investigating, going through documents.. and are taking actions against the infiltrators. They should take action against infiltrators.. TMC is protecting the Rohingya Muslims... they are not refugees, they are infiltrators.'

Earlier in the day, Adhikari raised an alarm over the Mamata Banerjee government's alleged misuse of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) framework. According to Adhikari, despite the Calcutta High Court striking down 75 Muslim OBC communities from the state's OBC list in 2024 for their inclusion based solely on religious criteria, the state government is now allowing these same communities to apply for EWS benefits.

Adhikari stated that this move was a direct affront to judicial authority and a shameful attempt to bypass the law. He argues that this decision not only violates constitutional norms but also constitutes a fraud on the people of West Bengal, sidelining deserving general category economically weaker sections who are entitled to EWS benefits.

In a post on his official account X, Adhikari said, 'As the Leader of the Opposition, I am compelled to raise a serious alarm regarding the Mamata Banerjee Government's blatant misuse of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) framework. Despite the Hon'ble Calcutta High Court striking down 75 Muslim OBC communities from the state's OBC list in 2024 for their inclusion based solely on religious criteria, the state government is now allowing these same communities to apply for EWS benefits. This is a direct affront to Judicial authority and a shameful attempt to bypass the Law. This is not just a violation of Constitutional norms but a fraud on the people of West Bengal, sidelining deserving general category economically weaker sections who are entitled to EWS benefits. I have written to His Excellency, the Hon'ble Governor of West Bengal, urging immediate intervention.' (ANI)