Tensions rise at Bhowanipore counting centre as TMC alleges BJP vehicle entry
Quick Look
- Tensions flared at a West Bengal counting centre as the TMC alleged a BJP-flagged vehicle entered the EVM storage area, a claim countered by election officials.
- This follows similar protests by the TMC.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Tensions are high in West Bengal ahead of vote counting for a crucial assembly election, with the ruling TMC and opposition BJP trading accusations of irregularities.
Tensions flared at the counting centre in Bhowanipore, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s assembly constituency, a day before vote counting, after her TMC alleged that two vehicles displaying BJP flags were allowed inside the secured premises where EVMs are stored.
Banerjee’s main opponent in Bhowanipore is BJP leader and West Bengal's leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari, her former aide.
TMC workers claimed that 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.
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.
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%.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Further protests and allegations of irregularities are likely to emerge from the TMC as vote counting progresses.
Likely · Within days
The Election Commission will likely issue statements refuting or clarifying allegations as they arise.
Very likely · Within days
The BJP will continue to dismiss TMC's claims as politically motivated and a sign of anticipated defeat.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What was the exact nature of the 'unauthorised access' alleged by the TMC?
- Were there any security lapses at any of the counting centres?
- What specific evidence does the TMC have to support its claims of CCTV camera shutdowns?
- How will the Election Commission address the repeated allegations from the TMC?
