Tension escalated in Kolkata’s Bhabanipur constituency during the ongoing West Bengal Assembly election process after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers allegedly blocked a vehicle belonging to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), claiming suspicious movement and possible electoral malpractice.
The incident took place near a strong room where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are stored ahead of the counting of votes scheduled for May 4. According to visuals and reports circulating online, BJP supporters gathered near the site and stopped a TMC vehicle, alleging that it might have been carrying EVM-related materials without proper authorization. Protesters raised slogans and demanded verification before allowing the vehicle to proceed.
Eyewitness footage showed a charged atmosphere, with police personnel present at the spot trying to control the situation and prevent escalation. Security was already heightened in Bhabanipur and other parts of Kolkata due to rising tensions between the two major political rivals over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
The BJP claimed the move was necessary to ensure transparency, alleging that there could be attempts to tamper with voting equipment or manipulate results. However, TMC leaders rejected the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. The ruling party has repeatedly accused the BJP and even the Election Commission of bias, claiming efforts to undermine democratic processes.
The incident comes amid a broader atmosphere of mistrust between the two parties. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already instructed party workers to keep a close watch on strong rooms, citing concerns over the use of “money, muscle and weapons” during the election period.
Authorities have maintained that all EVMs are secure under strict surveillance, with multiple layers of security and CCTV monitoring in place. Election officials have also assured that there is no evidence of tampering and that the counting process will be conducted in a transparent manner.
Bhabanipur, a politically significant seat and the constituency of Mamata Banerjee, has remained a high-stakes battleground in the 2026 elections. The latest confrontation highlights the intense rivalry and fragile law-and-order situation as the state prepares for counting day.
