Chaos erupted at a Bhabanipur EVM strong room in Kolkata on Thursday as workers from the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party clashed over allegations of Electronic Voting Machine tampering. The incident, which occurred just hours before the scheduled vote counting for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, has escalated political tensions in the state. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, reacting to the developments, issued a stern warning, vowing to 'fight until death' to protect the democratic process.
EVM Room Breach Allegations
The confrontation began when TMC activists accused BJP workers of attempting to breach the EVM strong room located in a government school in Bhabanipur. According to eyewitnesses, a large group of BJP supporters gathered near the venue, demanding access to verify the machines. TMC workers, led by local leaders, formed a human chain to block them, leading to heated arguments and minor scuffles. Police intervened to disperse the crowd, but the situation remained volatile throughout the day.
Mamata Banerjee's Response
Speaking at a press conference later in the evening, Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing them of trying to rig the elections. 'We will not tolerate any manipulation of the EVMs. This is a fight for democracy, and we will fight until death if necessary,' she declared. The Chief Minister also called for a high-level inquiry into the incident, demanding the deployment of central forces at all strong rooms across the state.
BJP's Counterclaims
The BJP, however, dismissed the allegations as baseless and accused the TMC of staging a drama to divert attention from their own malpractices. State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said, 'The TMC is scared of defeat, so they are creating chaos. We demand that the Election Commission ensure a transparent counting process.' The party also filed a complaint with the Election Commission, seeking a thorough investigation.
Political Implications
The Bhabanipur incident has added fuel to the already heated political climate in West Bengal, where the 2026 assembly elections are expected to be a high-stakes battle between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP. Analysts believe that such clashes could undermine public confidence in the electoral process. The Election Commission has assured that all EVMs are secure and that counting will proceed as scheduled, but the controversy is likely to dominate headlines in the coming days.
In a related development, the TMC has announced a statewide protest on Friday, while the BJP has called for a bandh in Bhabanipur. The situation remains tense, with both sides refusing to back down. As the state gears up for the final phase of elections, the Bhabanipur EVM room chaos serves as a stark reminder of the deep political divisions in West Bengal.
