Moments after the Election Commission of India announced the two-phase schedule for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, the political climate in the state turned volatile. CPI(M) State Secretary Mohammad Salim sparked a massive debate with his aggressive stance, declaring, “I will see the end of this!” (এর শেষ দেখে ছাড়ব!). His comment has become the centerpiece of the Left’s campaign narrative, signaling a high-stakes confrontation with the ruling administration.

The Root of the Conflict: SIR and Voter Rights Salim’s outburst is primarily directed at the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. He alleged that nearly 60 lakh voters have been kept in the “adjudication” category to prevent them from voting. The Left leader claimed that this is a systematic attempt by the ruling Trinamool Congress, in alleged collusion with sections of the bureaucracy, to disenfranchise voters who are critical of the government. “We will not let a single genuine voter be silenced. We will fight this in the courts and on the streets until the very end,” Salim asserted.

CPIM’s Stance on the Two-Phase Election While the Left had previously demanded fewer phases to curb the movement of “anti-social elements,” Salim remains skeptical about the execution. He emphasized that fewer phases only work if the Election Commission ensures 100% booth-level security through central forces. Having faced a total washout in the 2021 Assembly polls, the CPIM under Salim’s leadership is looking at 2026 as a year of resurgence. His “see the end” remark reflects the party’s desperate and determined mindset to reclaim its lost glory in Bengal.