NEW DELHI: Tensions flared at the counting centre in Bhowanipore, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s assembly constituency, a day before vote counting, after her Trinamool Congress (TMC) alleged that two vehicles displaying BJP flags were allowed inside the secured premises where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are stored.
TMC Workers Protest Alleged Security Breach
Banerjee’s main opponent in Bhabanipur is BJP leader and West Bengal's leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari, her former aide. TMC workers claimed that Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel were strictly regulating entry into the counting centre, yet a suspicious vehicle was permitted inside despite no prior sightings in recent days. They further alleged that after they raised objections, security forces pushed them back nearly 100 metres from the site.
The party also alleged that although officials initially said the vehicle would be removed, it remained parked for some time before leaving. However, an Election Commission official countered the claim, stating that the vehicle had merely passed along Harish Mukherjee Road and was allowed to proceed after checks by security personnel and police found nothing objectionable.
Series of Allegations by TMC
The incident follows a series of similar allegations made by the TMC in recent days. On Thursday, Banerjee staged a four-hour sit-in outside the Sakhawat Memorial Girls School counting centre, protesting 'unauthorised access' to strongrooms. Trinamool leaders and candidates Sashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh also held demonstrations outside another counting facility, accusing authorities of irregularities amid the absence of TMC agents.
Similar protests were reported on Saturday at counting centres in Asansol College in Paschim Bardhaman and Barasat Government College in North 24 Parganas, where the ruling party's workers claimed CCTV cameras were briefly switched off.
The Election Commission rejected all such allegations, maintaining that surveillance systems remained fully operational.
BJP Dismisses TMC Claims
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Sajal Ghosh dismissed the claims, accusing the TMC of making baseless allegations out of fear of defeat and questioning whether the party was anticipating an electoral loss.
West Bengal’s elections were conducted in two phases, with voting held on April 23 in 152 constituencies and on April 29 in the remaining 142 seats. Both phases saw a record voter turnout exceeding 90%.
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