Overview
- Police in Nadia said BLO Rinku Tarafdar was found dead with a note blaming the Election Commission, as the state CEO sought a detailed report and BJP leaders questioned the note’s authenticity.
- West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose called for a thorough examination and urged calm, saying issues should be resolved through dialogue to ensure free and fair elections.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded the SIR be halted, with TMC figures alleging 31–34 deaths in Bengal, while Congress leaders cited media claims of 16 BLO deaths nationwide over recent weeks.
- Election Commission sources maintained the SIR is a constitutional mandate conducted under standard guidelines and said state CEOs would be asked for reports in cases alleging harassment.
- Reports of deaths linked by families to SIR stress have also emerged from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, while TMC plans a November 24 review and Mamata Banerjee will meet the Matua community on November 25.