100000 Population, Only 4,000 Voters: What’s the Mystery of Gulshan Colony as SIR Sparks Chaos in Bengal?

Kolkata: Gulshan Colony, situated in the Panchanangram area of ​​the capital of West Bengal, has once again become the center of political conflict. As soon as the process of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list started, there was a stir here. The local claim is that around 1 lakh people live there, but the names in the voter list are only 3-4 thousand. This colony of laborers and tenant families, mostly from the minority community, has now become an arena for allegations and counter-allegations of BJP and TMC. SIR has made the area a new ground for election debate.

A crowd of 1 lakh in narrow streets, but only after counting the names in the voter list?

The hustle and bustle of labor families is clearly visible amidst the narrow streets, dilapidated houses, and dim lights of Gulshan Colony. But the SIR process shook everyone. There are queues at the help centers from morning till evening. People are eager to fill out the form and check the name.  Tea seller Ataur Rahman said that we came to Topsia in search of work, but why is the name not in the list? Many are migrants from Bihar-UP, but there is a fear of their names being deleted due to confusion in documents. Is this difference a result of voter ignorance, or something else?

TMC's defense—'Negative propaganda by the opposition' 

TMC leader Farooq said that the opposition is running a negative campaign. People have come from outside for work, and the allegation of infiltration is false. But BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya hit back. He said that this is evidence of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltration. The real face will flow from SIR. BJP described SIR as a 'cleanup drive,' while TMC called it a 'polarization ploy.' The councilor was earlier attacked in the area. Now SIR has opened old wounds. Will this political game divide the vote bank?

Concerning women senior citizens, is SIR transparent?

There is an atmosphere of uncertainty in the colony. Meena Ali said that she shifted from Topsia; the form was not received. Will the name be removed? Senior Yakub Ali said that he came here from Rajabazar, but the hassle of the address scares him. Many migrants are from Bihar-UP, but names are missing due to lack of documents. Objections have to be filed in SIR, but awareness is low. Will this process further alienate voters or result in a cleaner list?

This dispute of Gulshan Colony is making the election debate intense. This is the slogan of BJP's infiltration. TMC is accused of propaganda, but people on the streets are just trying to save their name. Will the truth come out from SIR?