TMC alleges EVM tampering in strong room; Election Commission denies claims

KOLKATA: Following the exit poll predictions of a BJP wave in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has alleged tampering at an EVM strong room in Kolkata. TMC workers led by leaders Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja have begun a protest at the strong room located in Kolkata's Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, alleging irregularities. The TMC alleges that party workers stationed outside the strong room were asked to leave around noon, after which the facility was opened to allow only BJP workers inside.

"We saw suspicious activities inside the strong room on CCTV. Ballot papers were being moved inside. If postal ballots are being processed, where did they come from, and why weren't we informed?" questioned Kunal Ghosh.

However, both the BJP and the Election Commission have dismissed these allegations. BJP leader Tapas Roy stated that the TMC is spreading rumours out of fear of defeat. He added that he had also visited the centre to inspect the strong room and labelled the TMC's claims as a "campaign of lies." The Election Commission clarified that the strong rooms for all seven assembly constituencies at the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra remain securely sealed.