• Source:JND
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As chaos continues in West Bengal amid the second and the last phase of polling across 142 constituencies. BJP leader Amit Malviya has accused the TMC of blocking the option to vote for the saffron party. Malviya said that the Trinamool Congress is following the Diamond Harbour model by repeating the activity.

10 Points To Understand Controversy

Amit Malviya accused the TMC of allegedly blocking the option to vote for the BJP, using a tape.

He further said that CM Mamata Banerjee's nephew secured his Lok Sabha seat in a similar way. Connecting the two situations, Malviya named the act the "Diamond Harbour Model."

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He mentioned the entire story in an X post. He said, "This is what Mamata Banerjee was defending when she spoke up for Jehangir Khan, a criminal contesting on a TMC ticket from Falta in Diamond Harbour.

In several polling booths, the option to vote for the BJP has been blocked using a tape, effectively preventing voters from exercising their choice."

Highlighting the incident, the BJP leader demanded an immediate repoll in the affected booths in Falta. He also claimed that Booth 189 also has had a similar setup.

The West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer soon responded to the allegations and assured that a repolling will take place, given that the accusations are true.

The WBCEO said, "If reports of taping any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll."

 Later, the EC found prima facie evidence of EVM button taping at some polling booths in West Bengal, sources said on Wednesday, amid allegations of irregularities during the second phase of Assembly elections. According to EC sources, a detailed report has been sought from the presiding officer concerned. Officials said the issue involving the sticker or tape on EVM buttons was resolved quickly and polling is now proceeding smoothly.

From the TMC, MLA Panna Lal Halder is contesting for the seat in Diamond Harbour. While the BJP has fielded Dipak Kumar Halder.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC candidate from Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee, levelled allegations against central forces and poll authorities.

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According to the Election Commission of India, a total of 39.97 per cent voters have cast their ballot by 11am in the West Bengal assembly election phase 2.

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