Archive · 7 Nov 2025
West Bengal: BJP Leads TMC in Booth Level Agents Amidst Electoral Roll Revision
Imagine election helpers called BLAs, who are chosen by political parties to work with official election officers called BLOs.
These BLAs help make sure the voter lists are correct.
In West Bengal, during a special update of these lists, the BJP party has managed to name more BLAs for polling booths than the ruling TMC party.
This is surprising because the TMC is usually very strong.
Some people think this means the TMC doesn't really want the list update to happen smoothly.
Others think the TMC relies too much on the official election officers (BLOs) and doesn't feel the need to appoint many of their own party helpers (BLAs).
The TMC says the numbers are old and they actually have BLAs everywhere, while also suggesting the BJP doesn't have enough workers in many areas.
The BLA's job is important for checking voter details and reporting problems.
BJP has registered more Booth Level Agents (BLAs) than TMC for West Bengal's electoral roll revision (SIR), with 37,700 BLAs compared to TMC's 35,364.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is ongoing, with BLAs playing a crucial role in verifying voter data.
Opposition parties like BJP and CPI(M) suggest TMC's lower BLA count indicates a lack of support for the SIR process or an over-reliance on official Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
TMC claims the Election Commission data is outdated and asserts they have BLAs in all booths, questioning the BJP's organizational reach.
BLAs are appointed by political parties to work with EC's BLOs, verifying voter data and safeguarding party interests at the grassroots level.
- Who
- Political parties in West Bengal, including TMC, BJP, CPI(M), Congress, and Forward Bloc, and the Election Commission.
- What
- BJP has registered more Booth Level Agents (BLAs) than the ruling TMC for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, leading to speculation about the TMC's organizational strength and reliance on Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
- When
- The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls entered its third day.
- Where
- West Bengal polling booths.
- Why
- The discrepancy in BLA numbers has fueled speculation regarding the TMC's organizational depth and their approach to the electoral roll revision process, with opposition parties offering explanations.
BJP and CPI(M) Stances
TMC Stance
BLA Numbers Discrepancy
BJP and CPI(M) Stances
The BJP leads the TMC in registered Booth Level Agents (BLAs) for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with 37,700 BLAs compared to the TMC's 35,364. The CPI(M) has 29,160 and the Congress has 6,999. BJP leader Rahul Sinha suggests the TMC's lower numbers are due to their unwillingness to fully support the SIR process.
TMC Stance
The TMC claims the Election Commission's data is old and that the BJP has not deployed BLAs in most booths due to a lack of organization and workers. The TMC asserts they have BLAs in all booths, citing an instance where a BLO was accompanied by TMC and CPI(M) BLAs, but not a BJP BLA.
Reliance on BLOs
BJP and CPI(M) Stances
CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty suggests the TMC's lower BLA count stems from an 'over-reliance on official Booth Level Officers (BLOs),' believing BLOs are essentially their party workers and thus additional BLAs are unnecessary.
TMC Stance
The TMC indirectly refutes the idea of solely relying on BLOs by stating they have BLAs in all booths. However, the underlying sentiment, as interpreted by the CPI(M), is that the TMC views BLOs as aligned with their party.
Support for SIR Process
BJP and CPI(M) Stances
BJP leader Rahul Sinha indicated the TMC's reluctance to fully support the SIR process contributed to their lower BLA numbers. CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty mentioned Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's initial opposition to the SIR.
TMC Stance
The TMC implies their support for the SIR process by stating they have BLAs in all booths and claims the BJP lacks the organization to do the same. The TMC also suggests that the BJP has lost many of its cadres to them.
- Total Polling Booths
- 80,681
- TMC BLAs Registered
- 35,364
- BJP BLAs Registered
- 37,700
- CPI(M) BLAs Registered
- 29,160
- Congress BLAs Registered
- 6,999
- Forward Bloc BLAs Registered
- 1,091
- Process
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
Sources
‘Forced to wear garland of shoes’, BJP BLA allegedly assaulted by TMC workers in North Bengal
Kolkata: Man abuses female journalist for talking to residents in New Town for report on SIR
BJP Workers Allege Attack On BLOs & BLAs, Stage Protest In Kolkata
