‘Cars with BJP flags allowed entry at Bhowanipore counting centre’: TMC’s big charge ahead of results | India News
New Delhi: Tension erupted at the counting center of West Bengal Chief Minister Bhavanipur Mamata BanerjeeIts assembly constituency, a day before counting of votes, was allowed two vehicles displaying BJP flags in the secure premises where EVMs are stored after its TMC complained.Banerjee’s main opponent in Bhavanipur is BJP leader and West Bengal Leader of Opposition Subvendu Adhikari, her former ally.TMC workers claimed that CAPF personnel were strictly controlling entry to the counting centre, yet a suspicious vehicle was allowed inside despite no prior sighting in recent days. They also alleged that after they objected, the security forces pushed them back about 100 meters from the venue.The group also alleged that although officials initially said the vehicle would be moved, it was parked for some time before leaving. However, an Election Commission official countered the claim saying that the vehicle only passed by Harish Mukherjee Road and nothing objectionable was found after checking by security personnel and police.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 counting center of Sakhawat Memorial Girls School, protesting “unauthorized entry” into the strongroom. Trinamool leaders and candidates Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh also protested outside another counting facility, accusing authorities of irregularities in the absence of TMC agents.Similar protests were reported at the counting centers of Asansol College in West Burdwan and Barasat Government College in North 24 Parganas on Saturday, where ruling party workers claimed that CCTV cameras were briefly switched off. The Election Commission has rejected all such complaints, the vigilance system is fully operational.Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Sajal Ghosh rejected the claims, accusing the TMC of making baseless allegations out of fear of defeat and questioned whether the party was anticipating electoral losses.The West Bengal elections were conducted in two phases, with polling being held in 152 constituencies on 23 April and the remaining 142 constituencies on 29 April. Record voter turnout crossed 90% in both phases.
