Tampering claims, chaos: Blow-by-blow of TMC vs BJP late-night EVM showdown in Kolkata
Tensions flared in Kolkata following the West Bengal assembly polls as Trinamool Congress leaders accused the BJP and Election Commission of attempting to tamper with postal ballots in a strongroom. TMC leaders Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh staged a sit-in protest, alleging lack of transparency and unauthorized access by BJP-linked individuals. The Election Commission denied wrongdoing, stating procedures were being followed, while the BJP dismissed the claims as baseless rumors ahead of vote counting.
- ▪TMC leader Kunal Ghosh alleged that BJP supporters were tampering with postal ballots inside a Kolkata strongroom in the absence of party representatives.
- ▪TMC leaders Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh held a sit-in protest outside the strongroom at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata.
- ▪The Election Commission stated that ballot segregation was being conducted transparently in the corridor of the strongroom with proper notifications issued to candidates and agents.
- ▪The TMC released CCTV footage claiming it showed unauthorized individuals accessing postal ballots, which they described as electoral fraud.
- ▪BJP leader Tapas Roy dismissed the allegations as unfounded, asserting that security arrangements were robust and that TMC was preparing a narrative for potential defeat.
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Tampering claims, chaos: Blow-by-blow of TMC vs BJP late-night EVM showdown in KolkataTMC leader Kunal Ghosh alleged that some people were involved in tampering with the postal ballots inside the strong room.Updated on: Apr 30, 2026 10:54 PM ISTBy Majid AlamShare viaCopy link High drama ensued in Kolkata on Thursday, a day after the polling concluded in Bengal assembly polls, after the Trinamool Congress claimed that the BJP and the Election Commission were attempting to open postal ballots in the absence of party representatives.A major drama unfolded outside the strongroom in Kolkata a day after polling in Bengal.
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