Mamata Banerjee warns of 'life-and-death' fight if EVMs are tampered with

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday issued a strong warning over alleged EVM irregularities after spending more than three hours inside a strongroom in Kolkata, saying any attempt to tamper with voting machines or the counting process would be met with a “life-and-death” fight.

Banerjee visited the strongroom at Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, the distribution and reception centre for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency where EVMs and ballots are stored.

Her visit came amid escalating allegations by the Trinamool Congress, including claims linked to a viral video showing activity around strong rooms.

After stepping out, she struck a defiant tone. “If someone tries to steal the EVM machine or tamper with the counting, we will fight a life-and-death battle,” she said, adding that she would “fight all my life.”

Explaining her visit, Banerjee said she acted after seeing CCTV visuals. “There is a strong room here for EVMs. We found that in many places, manipulation is taking place. When I saw it on TV, I thought I should come,” she said.

She added that central forces initially stopped her from entering but later allowed her after she asserted her rights as a candidate. “As per election rules, candidates and their agents are allowed up to the sealed room,” she said.

Banerjee also alleged bias in the process, claiming her party’s agent had been arrested and that there was “one-sidedness.”

The new political controversy broke out ahead of the May 4 vote count after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) circulated a video alleging major lapses in the handling of election materials and accusing the BJP and the Election Commission of acting in tandem.

In a sharply worded post on X, the party said the footage appeared to show ballot boxes being opened without authorised representatives present, calling it a serious breach and alleging electoral malpractice involving both the BJP and the Election Commission.

10,000 PEOPLE IN MINUTES: TMC FLEXES STRENGTH, CLAIMS RESTRAINT

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has escalated its attack on the BJP and the Election Commission, issuing a strong warning over alleged attempts to tamper with EVMs and claiming a broader “conspiracy” to influence the electoral outcome in West Bengal.

In a series of posts on X, the party alleged that the BJP had brought in “operatives from other states” to gather outside Netaji Indoor Stadium and create what it described as a “media spectacle.”

The TMC also signalled its mobilisation strength, saying it had chosen restraint despite its ability to respond. “At one command from Mamata, 10,000 people would descend upon that area in minutes,” the party said, adding that it was maintaining peace out of respect for the law, not out of fear.

“We choose peace because we respect the law Try to touch a single EVM and you will face the consequences,” the party warned, asserting that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had “shown the way” by personally visiting strongroom sites.

The party further alleged that the BJP had failed in earlier attempts such as voter list deletions and administrative interventions, and had now moved to more “desperate measures,” including an alleged attempt to tamper with EVMs at strongroom facilities.

It also accused the BJP of pushing “manipulated exit poll figures” through media channels as part of a “psychological war” to demoralise party workers ahead of counting.

MAMATA EARLIER ASKED WORKERS TO ‘STAND GUARD’

The latest developments come amid rising political tension, with Mamata Banerjee earlier asking party workers to keep a round-the-clock watch at counting centres on May 4. Rejecting exit poll projections, she claimed the TMC was headed for a decisive win and would cross the majority mark.

In a video message, she asked candidates and senior leaders to personally monitor counting centres across all 294 constituencies. “Stand guard. If I can stand guard, so can you,” she said, calling for 24-hour vigilance.

Banerjee also dismissed exit polls predicting BJP gains, calling them attempts to demoralise TMC workers. Citing past elections, including 2021, she said such projections had failed earlier as well.

She further alleged that a media narrative was being pushed ahead of counting day. “The reason they orchestrated this campaign is because they know they cannot stop us,” she said.

The TMC chief also warned workers to closely track the movement of EVMs from strong rooms to counting centres, alleging a “plot to swap machines” during transit.

EC DENIES TMC ALLEGATIONS

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rejected all allegations made by the TMC, asserting that proper procedures were followed, and all strong rooms are secure.

It said all seven strong rooms at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra were sealed after polling in the presence of candidates, their agents and the General Observer. The final room was secured around 5:15 am.

The EC clarified that a separate strong room is used for postal ballots, including those received through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS). It added that political parties were informed in advance, including via email, about the segregation process.

Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal also dismissed the claims, saying the strong rooms are properly sealed and no unauthorised entry has taken place.

EXIT POLLS GIVE BJP AN EDGE IN BENGAL

At least five exit polls have projected an edge for the BJP in West Bengal, suggesting a possible shift in the state’s political landscape.

Among them, Today’s Chanakya estimates around 192 seats for the BJP, well above the majority mark of 147. The TMC is projected at about 100 seats, while others remain marginal.

If these projections hold, it could mark a major turnaround, potentially ending TMC’s 15-year dominance. The numbers point to a consolidation of support in favour of the BJP.

West Bengal voted in two phases on April 23 and 29, recording over 90 per cent turnout amid heavy deployment of central forces. However, not all surveys agree, with some pointing to a closer contest or even a TMC lead. The final outcome will be clear only on May 4.