A major political confrontation erupted in West Bengal following the completion of two phases of polling, as Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders staged a massive protest outside the EVM strong room at Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium. Senior TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja sat on a dharna, alleging attempts to tamper with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) stored inside. The situation escalated quickly as BJP leader Tapas Roy arrived at the venue with his supporters, leading to a direct face-off between the two political factions. Both sides engaged in intense sloganeering, creating a volatile atmosphere outside the high-security zone.
Allegations of Unauthorized Access and CCTV Evidence
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh raised serious questions regarding the transparency of the process, claiming that unauthorized activities were visible on the Election Commission's livestreaming and CCTV footage, while he stated that while no TMC representative was allowed inside, several individuals were seen working within the strong room. Ghosh alleged that officials were preventing them from entering and were instead asking them to coordinate with other candidates. Shashi Panja echoed these concerns, demanding to know why the process was being hidden from them and emphasizing that no manipulation should take place. The TMC has formally accused BJP and Election Commission of India (ECI) officials of attempting to open ballot boxes without the presence of party representatives.
Dispute Over Strong Room Reopening Timeline
The controversy centers around the EVMs from the second phase of voting held last Wednesday, which were stored at the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra strong room, while according to Kunal Ghosh, party workers were present at the site until 3:30 PM but were subsequently removed. Shortly after, an email was reportedly sent stating that the strong room would reopen at 4:00 PM. Upon receiving this information, TMC leaders rushed to the spot but were denied entry. There are also reports suggesting that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee might join the protest, while the Chief Minister has already issued a call to party workers to remain vigilant and maintain a strict vigil over strong rooms across the state to prevent any tampering before the results.
BJP's Response and Security Protocols
In response to the allegations, BJP leader Tapas Roy dismissed the TMC's claims as baseless rumors. He argued that the TMC is sensing defeat and is creating a narrative to justify its loss, while roy pointed out that a strong three-layer security system is in place to guard the EVMs and announced that the BJP would also deploy two representatives to monitor the strong room. The counting of votes for the two-phase West Bengal assembly elections is scheduled for May 4. A total of 77 counting centers have been established across the state, with authorities maintaining high alert to ensure a fair and peaceful counting process.