‘Under Strict Surveillance’: BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari Targets Mamata Banerjee Ahead of Bengal Poll Results

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been placed “under strict surveillance” to prevent any irregularities ahead of the state election results, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed on Friday.

The remarks came a day after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief spent nearly four hours at an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) strongroom in Bhabanipur, leaving shortly after midnight.

Adhikari, who is contesting against Banerjee from the Bhabanipur constituency, stated that both EVMs and strongrooms are being closely monitored amid allegations of tampering. Sharing an image of the Chief Minister inside the facility, he asserted that strict measures were in place to ensure that no undue advantage is taken.

“Despite all efforts, she has not been able to act outside the rules,” Adhikari said, underscoring what he described as heightened vigilance by his party.

The BJP leader’s comments followed Banerjee’s dramatic visit to the strongroom at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata, where EVMs from seven North Kolkata Assembly constituencies are stored. The Chief Minister alleged that there were attempts to manipulate voting machines and raised concerns over the integrity of the electoral process.

Banerjee said her decision to visit the facility was prompted by a viral video showing suspicious activity inside the premises. She further alleged that her party had received reports of EVM tampering from multiple parts of the state.

“There is a strongroom here for EVMs. We have received information that manipulation is taking place in several locations. After seeing the CCTV footage, I decided to inspect it myself,” she said.

She also claimed that she was initially denied entry by central security forces, but was later allowed in, citing election rules that permit candidates and their agents access to sealed strongrooms.

Issuing a stern warning, Banerjee said any attempt to interfere with EVMs or the counting process would be met with strong resistance. “If anyone tries to tamper with the machines or manipulate the counting, we will fight it with full force,” she declared.

The TMC, in a strongly worded statement, alleged that video footage showed ballot boxes being opened without authorised representatives present, calling it a serious breach. The party accused both the BJP and the Election Commission of being complicit in electoral malpractice.

However, the Election Commission of India rejected the allegations, maintaining that all procedures had been strictly followed and that the strongrooms remain secure. The Commission stated that all seven strongrooms at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra were sealed in the presence of candidates, their agents, and election observers, with the final sealing completed early in the morning after polling.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Tapas Roy dismissed the TMC’s claims as baseless, asserting that robust security arrangements are in place at all EVM storage locations.

“We have deployed personnel to monitor the strongrooms, and a three-layer security system is in operation. These allegations are nothing more than an attempt to create a narrative ahead of the results,” he said.

The developments come amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal, as parties brace for the announcement of election results scheduled for May 4, 2026.