• Source:JND
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Ahead of the counting of votes in West Bengal, tensions are on the rise as ruling Trinamool Congress candidate Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja staged a sit-in protest outside an EVM strongroom at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra on Thursday, alleging irregular activities inside the facility.

The dharna was started after a brief scuffle between the BJP and TMC workers. The stage-in came hours after CM Mamata Banerjee, in a video message, urged the party leaders and workers to maintain a strict vigil around the strongrooms till the day of counting.

TMC released CCTV footage from outside the strong room, saying, "Democracy was murdered in broad daylight."

TMC added, "CCTV footage has exposed how BJP, in active collusion with the ECI, is opening ballot boxes without the presence of any relevant party stakeholders. This is gross electoral fraud being committed openly with the full knowledge and protection of the Election Commission."

The ruling party added that while a dharna has been started, the chief minister will herself visit the spot.

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Kunal Ghosh, who staged a protest along with Shashi Panja, said, "You can watch in the livestreaming and CCTV camera of the Election Commission that a few people are working inside. None of our representatives is inside...They are not letting us in. They are asking us to speak with other candidates. Why should we take responsibility for other candidates?..."

BJP candidate from Maniktala constituency, Tapas Roy, also reached the site and engaged in a verbal altercation with the Kolkata Police. 

Making huge allegations against the police in front of media, Roy said, "My last parliamentary election was looted by Kolkata police, Vineet Goyal. It was looted by miscreants and Vineet Goyal..."

CM Mamata visits Bhabanipur centre 

Meanwhile, CM Mamata visited Sakhawat Memorial School in South Kolkata, the counting centre for the Bhabanipur assembly segment, which houses the strong room for EVMs.

She visited the centre, defying torrential rains, suspecting malpractice and tampering of the voting machines.

ALSO READ: Bengal Polls: 104-Year-Old Who Never Missed Voting Since Independence Wins SIR Fight, Gets VIP Treatment

Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate for the Kolkata Port segment, Firhad Hakim, too reached the spot. He said, "I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn't meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn't allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside."

ECI issues clarification

The poll body was quick to react to the viral CCTV footage, refusing alleged tampering. In a nine-point rebuttal, the poll body clarified that all string rooms were closed and sealed in front of the candidates or election agents and General Observers by 5:15 AM.

The EC added that the segregation of the postal ballots, which are kept in a separate room within the premises, was taking place in the corridor from 4pm.

It added, "The same was duly shown to Shashi Panja, Kunal Ghosh (from TMC), and Kali from BJP."


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