Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has addressed allegations of her words being deliberately misconstrued regarding her comments on electoral interference by outsiders. Through an official statement on the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) X account, Banerjee asserted that her reference to the term “Bohiragoto” was explicitly aimed at a specific political party known for bringing in outsiders to influence West Bengal’s elections.

Banerjee explained that the issue she highlighted was about outsiders being illegitimately registered as voters alongside genuine local voters. “They add the names of ten outsiders alongside the names of our genuine voters, so that our own people are prevented from voting,” she said, cautioning her councillors to stay vigilant against this tactic. She emphasized the impossibility and illegality of one person having their name registered in two different places, which she pointed out as a serious concern during elections.

The Chief Minister expressed disappointment over how her remarks were distorted to give them a different meaning, which she believes was done intentionally to undermine her message. “Unfortunately, my words were deliberately misconstrued,” Banerjee said, reiterating her stance on protecting the voting rights of genuine West Bengal residents.

This statement comes amid heightened political tensions in the State as the upcoming elections approach, with Banerjee’s party accusing rivals of electoral malpractice involving outsider voting.