Mamata alleges power cuts, CCTV shutdowns; blames BJP hours before counting
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has alleged "deliberate load-shedding" near vote strong rooms in multiple areas, claiming CCTV outages and suspicious movement. She also urged party workers to stay alert overnight and report any irregularities, blaming the BJP for the situation.
Deliberate load shedding in Bengal, CCTVs turned off: Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP hours before vote counting. (Photo: PTI)
UPDATED: May 4, 2026 08:09 IST
Edited By: Zafar Abbas
Hours before the counting of votes, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that “deliberate load-shedding” was being carried out in parts of the state and urged party workers to remain on high alert outside strong rooms where votes are stored.
In a post on X, Banerjee claimed she had received reports from areas including Serampore in Hooghly, Krishnanagar in Nadia, Ausgram in Burdwan, and Kolkata’s Kshudiram Anushilan Kendra, where power cuts were being imposed in phases, CCTV cameras allegedly switched off, and vehicles seen moving in and out of strong room premises.
Calling on her party cadre to stay vigilant, she said they should “keep watch” through the night, guard the strong rooms, and immediately file complaints if any suspicious activity is noticed, including demanding access to CCTV footage.
Banerjee further alleged that such actions were being carried out “at the behest of the BJP,” intensifying political tensions in the state.
TMC leader Mahua Moitra claimed that CCTV cameras in strongrooms of four assembly constituencies, Krishnanagar North, Chapra, Kaliganj, and Nakashipara, were switched off for over two minutes late at night, questioning the Election Commission and state authorities and warning that her party is alert.
WILL BJP BREACH MAMATA'S BENGAL FORT?
As the counting of votes begins on May 4, the biggest suspense surrounds West Bengal, where Mamata Banerjee is facing her toughest challenge yet from the BJP, which has long described the state as its final frontier. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the TMC secured a commanding 215 seats, while the BJP trailed with 77.
This time, the BJP mounted an aggressive campaign, with the Election Commission deploying a record 2.4 lakh central forces personnel, reflecting the state’s history of poll-related and post-poll violence.
The issue of violence dominated the campaign narrative, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah raising it repeatedly across more than 50 rallies.
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