Mamata Banerjee warns of ‘life-and-death’ fight over alleged EVM tampering

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on May 1 issued a sharp warning over alleged irregularities involving Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), declaring that any attempt to tamper with voting machines or the counting process would trigger a “life-and-death” battle.

The warning came after Banerjee spent over three hours inside a strongroom at Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata — the distribution and reception centre for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency where EVMs and ballot materials are stored.

Her visit followed mounting allegations by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), including claims linked to a viral video purportedly showing suspicious activity around strongrooms.

Emerging from the facility, Banerjee struck a defiant tone. “If someone tries to steal the EVM machine or tamper with the counting, we will fight a life-and-death battle. I will fight all my life,” she said.

Explaining her intervention, the Chief Minister said she acted after reviewing CCTV visuals. “There is a strong room here for EVMs. We found that in many places, manipulation is taking place. When I saw it on TV, I thought I should come,” she said.

Banerjee also claimed she was initially stopped by central forces from entering the premises before being allowed in. “As per election rules, candidates and their agents are allowed up to the sealed room,” she asserted.

She further alleged bias in the process, claiming that a party agent had been arrested and pointing to what she described as “one-sidedness.”

TMC escalates attack, signals mobilization strength

The controversy has intensified ahead of the 04 May counting, with the TMC accusing the BJP and the Election Commission of acting in tandem to influence the electoral outcome.

In a strongly worded post on X, the party claimed that footage showed ballot boxes being opened without authorized representatives present, calling it a serious breach and alleging electoral malpractice.

The TMC also alleged that the BJP had brought in “operatives from other states” to assemble outside Netaji Indoor Stadium and create a “media spectacle.”

Signaling its mobilization capacity, the party said it had chosen restraint despite its strength. “At one command from Mamata, 10,000 people would descend upon that area in minutes,” it said, adding that it was maintaining peace out of respect for the law, not out of fear.

“We choose peace because we respect the law. Try to touch a single EVM and you will face the consequences,” the party warned.

The TMC further alleged that after failing in earlier attempts — including voter list deletions and administrative interventions — the BJP had resorted to more “desperate measures,” including alleged tampering with EVMs at strongroom facilities.

It also accused the BJP of pushing “manipulated exit poll figures” as part of a “psychological war” to demoralize party workers ahead of counting.

Call for vigilance, rejection of exit polls

Earlier, Banerjee had urged party workers to maintain round-the-clock vigilance at counting centres on 04 May, dismissing exit poll projections and asserting that the TMC would secure a decisive victory.

In a video message, she called on candidates and senior leaders to personally monitor counting centres across all 294 constituencies. “Stand guard. If I can stand guard, so can you,” she said.

She also warned workers to closely track the movement of EVMs from strongrooms to counting centres, alleging a “plot to swap machines” during transit.

Rejecting exit polls predicting BJP gains, Banerjee said such projections had failed in the past, including in 2021. “The reason they orchestrated this campaign is because they know they cannot stop us,” she added.

EC rejects allegations, asserts security

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has denied all allegations, maintaining that due procedures were strictly followed and that all strongrooms are secure.

According to the EC, seven strongrooms at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra were sealed after polling in the presence of candidates, their agents and the General Observer, with the final room secured around 05:15.

The Commission clarified that a separate strongroom is used for postal ballots, including those under the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS), and that political parties were informed in advance about the process.

Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal also dismissed the claims, stating that strongrooms are properly sealed and no unauthorized entry has taken place.

Exit polls project BJP edge

At least five exit polls have indicated an edge for the BJP in West Bengal, suggesting a potential shift in the state’s political landscape.

One projection estimates the BJP could secure around 192 seats — well above the majority mark of 147 — while the TMC is projected at around 100 seats, with others trailing.

If these projections hold, it could mark a major political shift, potentially ending the TMC’s 15-year dominance. However, some surveys point to a closer contest or even a TMC lead.

West Bengal voted in two phases on April 23 and 29 April, recording over 90% turnout amid heavy deployment of central forces. The final outcome will be declared on May 4.