Election Despatch from Murshidabad as Bengal gears up for assembly polls

In this edition of Election Despatch, India Today's ground report from Murshidabad explores the political climate ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections. The ruling party seeks a historic fourth consecutive term, while the opposition aims to capitalise on fifteen years of anti-incumbency. A major flashpoint is the Special Intensive Roll Revision (SIR), which has resulted in the deletion of over 91 lakh voters across the state. Murshidabad district has recorded the highest number of deletions, affecting both majority and minority communities. Local residents, including a descendant of a former royal family and members of the Matua community, express frustration over their exclusion from the electoral rolls despite possessing valid documents. The Supreme Court has ruled that while affected individuals can appeal to tribunals, their names will not appear on the frozen rolls for the upcoming elections. The report highlights widespread resentment, administrative confusion, and growing polarisation as disenfranchised citizens demand the restoration of their voting rights ahead of a highly contested electoral battle.