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pc: news24online

Tension has increased in West Bengal ahead of the counting of votes on May 4, as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a stern warning regarding alleged irregularities in EVMs. After spending more than three hours inside a strong room at Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, he said any attempt to tamper with the voting machines would be responded to with a “life and death” fight.

Banerjee went to the strong room in Bhawanipur assembly constituency following Trinamool Congress’ claims of a possible security lapse. The controversy escalated further when a viral video purportedly showed suspicious activity around the strong room.

Why did Mamata Banerjee go to the strong room?

Explaining her sudden visit, Banerjee said she did so after watching CCTV visuals. “When I saw it on TV, I thought I had to come,” he said. He also claimed that the Central Force initially stopped him from entering, but later let him in after he claimed his rights as a candidate.

He also alleged bias in the process, claiming that his party’s polling agent had been arrested. According to him, there was a “one-sided” approach in the way the situation was being handled. TMC has gone a step further, accusing the Election Commission of India and the Bharatiya Janata Party of working together.

In several statements, TMC alleged a major “conspiracy” to influence the election results. The party claimed that “people from other states” were brought in to create a media spectacle and warned that it had the power to gather 10,000 people within minutes if needed.

The party said it was exercising restraint. “We respect the law, not fear,” it said, and warned of consequences if any EVM was touched. Banerjee had earlier appealed to party workers to keep “guards” at the counting centers and keep a round-the-clock watch on the movement of EVMs.

What does the Election Commission say?
Rejecting all the allegations, the Election Commission said that the strong rooms are completely secure and sealed as per protocol. Officials clarified that all procedures were followed in the presence of candidates and observers, and no unauthorized entry took place.