‘Opened at least 10 times’: BJP flags strongroom irregularities a day after TMC’s Kolkata showdown

Tensions continued to grip West Bengal on Friday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) intensified their war of words ahead of the May 4 vote counting.

Fresh allegations over irregularities at EVM strongrooms resurfaced a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led protests outside Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in central Kolkata, where multiple constituencies’ electronic voting machines are stored.

On Friday, BJP leaders lodged a complaint with the Bidhannagar Sub-Divisional Officer, alleging that a strongroom had been opened without authorisation. According to reports, six officials were suspended following the incident. BJP candidate Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay claimed the facility had been opened “early” and multiple times without proper intimation, raising concerns over transparency in handling election materials.

TMC’s protest escalates row

The controversy follows a dramatic sit-in by TMC leaders on Thursday, when candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja accused authorities of allowing “outsiders” inside strongrooms. They alleged that CCTV footage showed individuals tampering with ballot-related materials, and questioned why party representatives were not informed about the reopening of the facility.

Election Commission response

The Election Commission of India dismissed the allegations, stating that officials were merely segregating postal ballots as per established procedures and that all strongrooms remained secure.

Mamata calls for vigilance

Amid the escalating political storm, Banerjee urged party workers and candidates to maintain round-the-clock surveillance at counting centres, warning of a possible attempt to tamper with EVMs during transit. She also alleged that exit poll figures had been circulated in advance to influence perception, asserting that her party could surpass the majority mark.

Repoll ordered

Separately, the Election Commission ordered repolling in 15 booths in South 24 Parganas district, declaring the April 29 polling at those locations void, adding another layer of tension to an already high-stakes electoral battle.