Amit Shah Says ‘Some Parties on Mission to Protect Infiltrators’ After Bengal CM Seeks Halt to Voter Verification Drive

New Delhi -Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday accused certain political parties of attempting to shield infiltrators by opposing the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) ongoing voter verification exercise.

His remarks came in response to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s urgent request to the ECI to halt the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which is currently underway in 12 states and three Union Territories.

Speaking at an event in Gujarat, Shah said stopping infiltration was essential to safeguard both the country’s security and the integrity of its democratic system.

“Preventing infiltration is not only necessary for the security of the country, but also crucial to protect our democratic system from being corrupted. Unfortunately, some political parties are opposing the ‘ghuspaithiya hatao’ campaign and the voter list purification drive being carried out under SIR,” he said.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the Home Minister asserted that all infiltrators would be identified and removed. “It’s the people of this country—not the infiltrators—who will elect their representatives,” he added.

His comments follow Mamata Banerjee’s letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, urging the poll body to immediately stop the SIR exercise. She argued that the process was alienating the public and snatching their right to vote.

“I request you to kindly intervene decisively to halt the ongoing exercise, stop coercive measures, provide proper training and support, and thoroughly reassess the present methodology and timelines,” she wrote.

Banerjee also expressed concern that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were under pressure and fear of punitive action, leading to “incorrect or incomplete entries” and risking disenfranchisement of genuine voters.

Her plea drew sharp criticism from the BJP, including its West Bengal unit, which rejected her allegations and accused her of attempting to obstruct a lawful exercise aimed at maintaining electoral integrity.

—With inputs from IANS