Tensions escalated in Purba Bardhaman’s Ketugram on Tuesday as hundreds of residents staged a road blockade following the release of the supplementary voter list. Protesters alleged that despite submitting documents dating back to 1904, their names were intentionally omitted from the list. In one booth alone at Ankhona village, out of 426 pending cases, a staggering 397 names were rejected, sparking widespread fury.

One protester, Mozammel Sheikh, expressed his disbelief, stating that even his grandfather’s vintage maritime service documents couldn’t save his family’s voting rights. “Is this a joke?” he questioned. Another resident pointed out the absurdity of his father’s name being deleted while his remained on the list. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has blamed the Election Commission and the BJP for this “deliberate exclusion.” Local TMC leaders termed it a political conspiracy and vowed to take the matter to the state leadership to ensure no legitimate voter is disenfranchised.