BJP tops list in BLA-2 appointments for SIR

With the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls already underway across Bengal, the Trinamul Congress has found itself trailing behind both the BJP and the CPM in appointing booth-level agents (BLA-2s), according to data released by the Election Commission of India.

The BJP has emerged on top with 63,940 booth-level agents, followed by the CPM at 18,706, while the Trinamul Congress ranks third with 13,526. The Congress occupies the fourth position, having appointed 5,797 agents. The figures mark an unusual turn in Bengal’s political landscape, where it is typically the opposition parties that complain about being unable to deploy agents at polling booths, citing intimidation by the ruling party. This time, however the ruling Trinamul appears to be lagging.

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Interestingly, the shortfall comes despite the party’s repeated claims that the BJP lacks a strong booth-level presence across the state. The development has also sparked a political debate. At an all-party meeting convened by the Election Commission of India soon after the SIR notification was issued, Trinamul representatives had said they would not be submitting their BLA list, citing fears of “data leakage.”

BJP leader Shishir Bajoria had then quipped, “This is something an opposition party would usually say. Has the Trinamul swapped roles?” Sources said the figures were compiled from the final lists submitted by parties up to 3 November. Just days before the data was released, Trinamul’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, addressing party workers in a virtual meeting, had issued a stern directive to the BLA-2s to act as “shadow partners” of the BLA-1s and ensure seamless coordination during the SIR process. Despite the apparent shortfall, the Trinamul leadership has denied any weakness in its organisation. Party spokesperson Tanmay Ghosh said, “The Trinamul Congress has appointed BLA-2s in every booth. Our final list was submitted on the night of 3 November. We are closely monitoring the process.” While the BJP seems buoyed by its strong organisational showing, the figures have triggered fresh political chatter on whether Bengal’s ruling party is facing strain at the grassroots level ahead of the 2026 Assembly election.