Mamata alleges Bhabanipur result rigged, cites assault agent removal and EVM lapses

Outgoing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged large-scale irregularities in the Bhabanipur counting process, describing the verdict as a “stolen one” and an “unethical dirty game” in a telephonic conversation shared publicly by Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee.

The call, posted on Facebook, captures Banerjee claiming she was leading against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari till the 16th round of counting, before the situation allegedly turned amid what she described as intimidation and procedural violations inside counting centres.

According to Banerjee, “goons” entered the counting venues during the final rounds, assaulted her and forcibly removed her party’s counting agents with the alleged involvement of officials and security personnel. She further claimed that her agents were replaced by those aligned with the opposition, leaving the TMC without representation during crucial stages.

She accused the Election Commission of India, the Central Reserve Police Force, and local election authorities of acting under instructions from Delhi to favor the BJP, alleging a coordinated effort to influence the outcome.

A key part of her allegation pertains to the handling of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Banerjee claimed that machines were moved to strongrooms without proper sealing and in the absence of her party’s representatives. “I am outside the hall. Not allowing me inside,” she is heard saying in the call.

Calling the situation “torture,” she alleged that voters were first removed through SIR and later their votes were “forcibly stolen” amid power disruptions and chaos during counting. She also flagged what she described as illegal movement of EVMs and lack of transparency in the final rounds.

Maintaining that the result does not reflect a legitimate victory, Banerjee said the outcome represents a “moral defeat” for the opposition and asserted that all evidence has been documented. She added that the matter will be legally challenged, with Kalyan Banerjee being briefed to pursue the case.