Siliguri, Aug. 2 -- Amidst the ongoing political turmoil over the Special Intensive Revision procedure in Bihar, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar called for the same exercise in West Bengal, stating that a well-proven voter list is necessary for a vibrant democracy.

Speaking to reporters in Siliguri, Majumdar pointed to past precedent, noting that a similar exercise in 2002 resulted in the removal of 20 lakh names from the state's voter list.

"SIR is a regular practice of the Election Commission of India. Even in the year 2002, the SIR exercise was carried out in West Bengal. Names of 20 lakh voters were removed from the voter list...It is the role of the Election Commission to rectify the voter list. A well-proof voter list is necessary...