The second and final phase of the West Bengal elections was overshadowed by multiple incidents of violence, allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctions, and a sharp political confrontation between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Voting, which began on Wednesday, witnessed disruptions in several constituencies, raising concerns about the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
Reports of clashes and vandalism emerged early in the day from areas such as Chapra, Shantipur, and Bhangar. In one incident from the Entally constituency, BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal got into a heated argument with polling officials and security personnel after her polling agent was reportedly removed from a booth due to space constraints. The situation escalated when a Trinamool representative also intervened, leading to both sides being asked to leave the premises.
In Chapra, a BJP polling agent was allegedly assaulted by individuals linked to the ruling party. According to BJP leaders, the agent, identified as Mosharef Mir, was attacked by a group of people and sustained injuries serious enough to require hospitalisation. Allegations included claims that one of the attackers was armed. BJP candidate Saikat Sarkar condemned the incident, accusing Trinamool workers of orchestrating the attack. However, the Trinamool Congress denied any involvement, calling the accusations baseless. Police confirmed that a case had been registered and an investigation was underway.
Adding to the tensions, there were complaints about malfunctioning EVMs in parts of Howrah district. A video circulated by news agency PTI showed a man being forcibly removed by security personnel, while another individual was seen being beaten with batons, further intensifying concerns about the law-and-order situation during polling.
EVMs have long been a contentious issue in Indian elections, with opposition parties frequently alleging tampering or manipulation. While the Election Commission has consistently defended the integrity and security of the machines, fresh complaints during this phase added to the controversy.
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya made serious allegations against the Trinamool Congress, claiming that in some polling booths, the button corresponding to BJP candidates had been deliberately blocked using tape, preventing voters from casting their votes freely. He demanded immediate re-polling in affected booths, calling it a systematic attempt to manipulate the outcome. The TMC dismissed these allegations as politically motivated.
Incidents of property damage were also reported. In Shantipur, furniture at a BJP camp office was vandalised, leading to tension in the area. In Bhangar, allegations surfaced that a polling agent from the Indian Secular Front (ISF) was prevented from entering a polling booth. Additionally, a vehicle belonging to BJP candidate Bikash Sardar was damaged, with visuals showing its rear windshield shattered. BJP leaders again blamed Trinamool supporters for the attack.
Amid these developments, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused central security forces of acting in favour of the BJP. She alleged that the forces were targeting TMC supporters and interfering with the polling process. Banerjee also criticised the presence of external observers, suggesting that they were acting under BJP influence and undermining the fairness of the elections.
Her nephew and senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee echoed similar concerns, claiming that the observers had exceeded their authority. The Bhabanipur constituency, where Mamata Banerjee is contesting, has emerged as a key battleground in this election.
The elections are being held in two phases, with the first phase conducted on April 23 witnessing a record voter turnout of 92.88%. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. The polls are also taking place against the backdrop of a controversial revision of the electoral rolls, which saw over 90 lakh names removed. While the TMC has alleged that this move was aimed at disenfranchising certain voters, the Election Commission and BJP have denied any wrongdoing.
the second phase of polling in West Bengal has been marked by tension, allegations, and political rivalry, raising serious questions about electoral transparency and security.
