Former West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said she may participate in the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Her remarks came as the Opposition INDIA bloc prepared to march to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday over allegations of large-scale voter disenfranchisement linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Speaking in Kolkata, Banerjee said her party had maintained cordial relations with the CJP and extended support to its campaign, although a final decision on her participation had not been taken. The proposed demonstration forms part of a wider Opposition campaign questioning the Election Commission's handling of electoral roll revisions.
Mamata keeps options open
"I may join the protest at Jantar Mantar scheduled for October 10, but nothing can be confirmed now. We have maintained a relationship with them (the CJP) and have extended our support, while any further decision regarding our participation will be taken later," Banerjee said.
The former Chief Minister visited the Kolkata residence of her nephew and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday. She is also expected to be part of a 10-member delegation of INDIA bloc leaders seeking a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu to submit a memorandum concerning alleged voter deletions and demand the Chief Election Commissioner's removal.
Banerjee said her name had been included among the Opposition representatives seeking an appointment with the President. However, Rashtrapati Bhavan had not confirmed the meeting as of Thursday evening.
Trinamool backs CJP agitation
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien reiterated his party's support for the CJP but declined to confirm whether Banerjee would attend Saturday's demonstration.
"As you all know we support the CJP. We have good relationship with some of their leaders. We know Abhijeet Dipke for years. Ashutosh Ranka came to Kolkata and we had lunch. I am neither confirming nor denying if Mamata Banerjee will participate in the CJP protests," O'Brien said.
The Trinamool Congress has maintained contact with CJP leaders, including Abhijeet Dipke and Ashutosh Ranka, even as the emerging political outfit has drawn differing responses from Opposition parties.
While Congress leaders have expressed reservations about the CJP's political associations, the Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have adopted a more accommodating approach towards the organisation.
During an earlier CJP protest against examination paper leaks, Banerjee had deputed five Trinamool MPs to participate in the demonstration and express solidarity with the organisers.
INDIA bloc plans President march
Meanwhile, INDIA bloc lawmakers are preparing to march from Parliament to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday to press their demands concerning electoral roll revisions and the functioning of the Election Commission.
The Opposition has alleged that the SIR exercise could result in the deletion of eligible voters from electoral rolls, potentially depriving them of their voting rights. Opposition parties have also questioned the role of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demanded his removal.
The allegations of deliberate mass disenfranchisement remain contested and have not been established as findings of fact. The Election Commission has maintained that electoral roll revisions are intended to improve the accuracy and integrity of voter lists.
The proposed delegation is expected to submit a memorandum outlining the Opposition's objections and seeking presidential intervention. However, an appointment with President Murmu had not been finalised by Thursday evening.
Opposition coordination intensifies
Banerjee had played a significant role in discussions over the proposed protest during an INDIA bloc meeting on September 29. The meeting helped accelerate plans for the agitation, with Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi also extending support to the broader Opposition campaign.
The October 10 demonstration at Jantar Mantar is being organised by the CJP as part of its campaign against the Chief Election Commissioner. The party has sought to mobilise supporters and other political organisations around its demand for Kumar's removal.
Banerjee's possible participation could bring additional political attention to the protest, particularly given the Trinamool Congress's involvement in the Opposition's campaign over electoral roll revisions.
For now, her attendance remains uncertain. The immediate focus is on Friday's proposed INDIA bloc march to Rashtrapati Bhavan and whether the Opposition delegation secures an appointment with the President before the CJP's scheduled demonstration on Saturday.