Modi’s physical absence from the charged gathering created a visible void between the party and its traditional support base in the region. The BJP had earlier maintained that applying for citizenship through the CAA portal would help such applicants retain their names on the voters’ list despite the SIR exercise. Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar did not conceal his disappointment. Seeking to downplay the crisis, All India Matua Mahasangha leader and BJP MLA from Gaighata, Subrata Thakur, said the fears were exaggerated. “The actual number of people who may eventually be dropped from the voters’ list is very small.

Source: The Telegraph December 21, 2025 01:19 UTC