Tension Outside Kolkata Counting Centre as TMC and BJP Workers Clash; EC Steps in to Defuse Situation

Kolkata, May 2026 : A tense situation unfolded outside the counting centre at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday after a brief scuffle broke out between workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The confrontation erupted amid allegations by TMC leaders of “suspicious movements” near a strong room where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are stored.

The situation escalated when senior TMC leaders and candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja staged a protest outside the counting centre gate. They alleged irregularities linked to the strong room at the adjacent Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, where postal ballots are kept. Their protest quickly drew counter-objections from BJP candidates present at the venue, leading to slogans being raised by supporters of both parties and a brief face-off.

The strong room at Netaji Indoor Stadium reportedly houses EVMs from seven Assembly constituencies in North Kolkata. Following polling on Wednesday, all strong rooms were sealed in the presence of candidates, election agents, and observers, with the final sealing completed at 5:15 a.m. on Thursday under Election Commission supervision.

Amid rising tensions, Trinamool Congress supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally visited the strong room at Shakhawat Memorial counting centre, where EVMs from her Bhabanipur constituency are stored. She remained outside the facility for more than two to three hours, monitoring the arrangements in her capacity as a candidate.

Another TMC candidate, Firhad Hakim from the Kolkata Port constituency, also visited the site. After reviewing the arrangements, Banerjee instructed all TMC candidates across the state to maintain strict vigil outside strong rooms through the night. She asked them to ensure continuous presence with proper arrangements for food, water, and rotation of party workers.

At Netaji Indoor Stadium, TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh (Beleghata) and Shashi Panja (Shyampukur) were present during the protest. BJP candidates Santosh Pathak (Chowrangee) and Tapas Roy (Maniktala) also reached the location and objected to the gathering of TMC workers near the strong room area.

Following several hours of protest and intervention by police personnel, the situation was brought under control. The Trinamool Congress leaders eventually withdrew their demonstration after receiving assurances from the Election Commission. BJP workers also dispersed after the matter was addressed.

Apart from concerns over alleged movement near strong rooms, the TMC also raised objections regarding postal ballot procedures. However, the Election Commission rejected these allegations, stating that all candidates had been informed in advance via email about postal ballot handling procedures.

The Commission clarified that a separate strong room for postal ballots has been set up at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, where ballots from various centres are securely stored and sorted constituency-wise.

Reacting to the situation, Kunal Ghosh alleged irregularities in communication and timing. He claimed that supporters present near the strong room were removed and that an email regarding reopening timing was issued suddenly, causing confusion among party workers. He said TMC representatives rushed back after receiving conflicting information from the field.

Ghosh also demanded enhanced transparency measures, including CCTV installation at the postal ballot strong room, live video display outside the facility, permission for candidate representatives to monitor screens, and unrestricted access without police interference.

Following assurances from the Election Commission regarding procedural safeguards and transparency, the TMC leaders called off their protest, bringing a temporary calm to the tense situation outside the counting centre.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)