Political clash over strong room in Kolkata, controversy over EVM escalates, Mamata Banerjee reaches protest site

After the completion of two phases of voting in West Bengal, the political atmosphere has become more heated. A big political controversy has arisen outside the strong room located at Netaji Indoor Stadium in the capital Kolkata. The round of allegations and counter-allegations has intensified regarding the security and transparency of the EVM machines kept here.

TMC leaders protest, make serious allegations

Senior Trinamool Congress leaders Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh have sat on strike outside the strong room. They allege that attempts are being made to tamper with the EVMs and activities are going on inside without the presence of party representatives.

Kunal Ghosh said that in the livestreaming and CCTV footage, some people are seen working inside, while no representative of his party is being allowed inside. Shashi Panja raised questions on transparency and said that if everything is correct, then why the internal activities are not being shown openly.

#WATCH | Kolkata | TMC leader Shashi Panja says, “We were sitting on the dharna peacefully…BJP leaders created a ruckus here…” https://t.co/HLCEHzzeSGpic.twitter.com/avGuGlEFgA

— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2026

BJP and TMC face to face

Leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party and TMC have come face to face on this issue. BJP leader Tapas Rai has also reached the spot with his supporters. The atmosphere has become tense due to sloganeering and protests between the two sides.

Tapas Rai rejected TMC’s allegations and said that these are all rumors and an attempt is being made to create an atmosphere in view of the possibility of defeat. He also said that a three-level security system is implemented in the strong room, due to which there is no possibility of any kind of disturbance.

❗️ALARMING❗️

This is the murder of democracy in broad daylight.

CCTV footage has exposed how @BJP4Indiain active collusion with the @ECISVEEPis opening ballot boxes without the presence of any relevant party stakeholders. This is gross electoral fraud being committed openly… pic.twitter.com/aSe36kGKPI

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 30, 2026

Email controversy increased apprehension

TMC leaders claimed that their workers were present outside the strong room till noon, but were later removed from there. After this, an email was sent informing about opening of the strong room at 4 pm. This development has further increased the party’s concerns. TMC says that during this time they were stopped from going inside, due to which the suspicion deepened.

Mamata Banerjee’s activism

Mamata Banerjee has appealed to her workers to remain alert and monitor the strong room. He has expressed apprehension that some kind of disturbance may be attempted before the counting of votes. Mamta herself has reached the protest site.

Decision will be taken on 4th May

Counting of votes is to take place in the state on May 4, for which 77 counting centers have been created. On this day it will become clear which party the public has handed over power to.

Also read – West Bengal Chankya Exit Poll 2026: Whose government will be formed in West Bengal? Big claim made in another exit poll