As voting continued in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP alleged serious irregularities at polling booths in Falta, claiming that the party’s election symbol on the EVM was taped over to prevent voters from casting their ballots in its favour.
Reacting to the controversy, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said the party was closely monitoring the matter and that the Election Commission had already taken note of the complaint.
“We are also monitoring and will do what is required. The Election Commission has also taken cognisance of this. If it works in this manner, then what is required will be done,” Adhikari told reporters.
The BJP leader said the matter had been escalated to the party’s top leadership, including Bhupendra Yadav and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of attempting to influence the voting process.
“I will discuss it with the candidate. Bhupendra Yadav ji called me at 9 am. I conveyed the situation. Just a few minutes back, Amit Shah ji called me. I told him about the Falta incident. This is TMC's technique. We are taking action. Nothing has happened yet. 35 per cent of voting has taken place; a lot remains to be seen,” he added.
The controversy escalated after BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya shared a video allegedly showing the BJP symbol on the EVM covered with tape. In his post, Malviya accused the ruling party of deliberately blocking votes in booths located in Falta, which falls under the politically significant Diamond Harbour region.
“In several polling booths, the option to vote for the BJP has been blocked using a tape, effectively preventing voters from exercising their choice,” Malviya said in the post.
He further alleged that the same strategy was part of what he described as the “Diamond Harbour Model,” claiming it had previously helped the ruling party secure victories in the region.
Following the allegations, the West Bengal Election Commission said the reports of EVM button tampering would be thoroughly investigated. Officials stated that if the claims are verified, repolling would be ordered in the affected booths.
The allegations have heightened political tensions in West Bengal during a crucial phase of polling, with both the BJP and TMC closely watching developments as the battle for the state intensifies.
The counting of votes for West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry is scheduled to take place on May 4, when the results of the high-stakes Assembly elections will be announced.
