Delimitation and Women's Quota Bills Row: Mamata Raises Concerns Over Voter Impact

PTI, April 16, 2026, Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday claimed that the alleged linking of bills related to amending the women's quota law and setting up a delimitation commission was a "conspiracy" to delete names from electoral rolls and implement NRC.

Addressing a poll rally at Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district, Mamata alleged attempts were being made to "divide India" by connecting the women's reservation and delimitation Bills.

"Attempts are being made to divide India by linking women's reservation and delimitation bills. Connecting these two bills is a conspiracy to delete voters' names and implement NRC," she said.

"The women's reservation Bill was passed long ago, and why was there a delay in its implementation," Mamata said.

The TMC supremo asserted that 37 per cent of its elected MPs in the Lok Sabha are women.

Referring to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's alleged distribution of "cards" during her visit to poll-bound Bengal on Wednesday, Mamata challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove her (Sitharaman) from the post for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The TMC on Thursday said it has filed a complaint with the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer, alleging, "BJP leaders have launched a scheme called 'Matrishakti Bhorsa Card', promising financial assistance to women, distributing forms across constituencies in the final days before polling".

The ruling party termed the move as the "BJP's electoral bribery", and demanded action against its leaders.