TMC alleges security breach as BJP vehicles enter Bhabanipur counting centre

KOLKATA: High drama unfolded in the high-profile Bhabanipur constituency as Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters staged a massive protest outside an EVM strong room on Sunday. The protesters alleged that vehicles bearing BJP flags were permitted entry into the restricted counting centre zone by central security forces without any prior inspection.

The incident occurred at the Sakhawat Memorial School, where EVMs for the Bhabanipur seat—the site of a marquee battle between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari—are being stored. TMC workers claimed that security personnel forcibly removed them when they attempted to block the "suspicious" vehicles.

"The officials initially assured us the cars would be moved, but they remained parked inside the restricted perimeter for a significant duration," a TMC representative stated.

The Election Commission (EC) has since moved to quell the controversy, categorically denying any security breach. According to an EC spokesperson, the vehicles in question were travelling along Harish Mukherjee Road and did not enter the prohibited zone. A joint inspection by the police and security forces confirmed that no suspicious activity or unauthorised entry had taken place.