Mamata Banerjee Visits Strongroom in Kolkata and Warns of Fight Over EVM Security
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited a strongroom in south Kolkata on May 1, 2026. This visit happened because the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is worried about the safety of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The tension in the state is very high as everyone waits for the election results.
Mamata Banerjee went to the Sakhawat Memorial School in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency. She stayed inside the strongroom for more than three hours. She wanted to check if the voting machines were safe. The counting of votes is scheduled to take place on May 4.
Mamata Banerjee Warns of a Serious Fight
During her visit, Mamata Banerjee gave a very strong warning. She said that there would be a “life-and-death” fight if anyone tries to change or touch the voting machines. She believes there is a plan to change the election results before the counting day.
The Chief Minister said she decided to visit the strongroom after she saw CCTV footage on television. She said the visuals looked suspicious. She also claimed that central security forces tried to stop her from entering at first. However, she told them she is a candidate and has the right to be there, so they let her in.
Allegations by Trinamool Congress
The Trinamool Congress party has made several serious claims. They say there is a big conspiracy to influence the election results. The party has accused the Election Commission and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of working together.
The TMC shared a video on social media. They claimed the video shows people trying to break into sealed ballot boxes at the Netaji Indoor Stadium. They also criticized the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal. The party said he should focus on his job instead of holding press conferences late at night.
Mamata Banerjee also mentioned that one of her party’s polling agents was arrested. She believes this is part of a plan to be unfair to her party.
Election Commission Rejects All Claims
The Election Commission has responded to these allegations. They said that all the claims made by the TMC are wrong. According to the Commission, all strongrooms are completely secure and sealed. They stated that they are following all the official rules and protocols to keep the machines safe.
Key Details of the Event
| Detail Name | Information |
|---|---|
| Person Involved | Mamata Banerjee (Chief Minister of West Bengal) |
| Location of Visit | Sakhawat Memorial School, South Kolkata |
| Constituency | Bhabanipur Assembly constituency |
| Time Spent | Over 3 hours |
| Date of Visit | May 1, 2026 |
| Counting Day | May 4, 2026 |
| Chief Electoral Officer | Manoj Kumar Agarwal |
Conclusion
The political situation in West Bengal is very tense. Mamata Banerjee is determined to protect the EVMs until the counting day on May 4. While the TMC claims there is a conspiracy, the Election Commission insists that everything is safe. The next few days will be very important for the state’s future.
FAQs
Why did Mamata Banerjee visit the strongroom?
She visited the strongroom because she saw suspicious CCTV footage on TV and heard claims about EVM irregularities.
When is the counting of votes in West Bengal?
The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, 2026.
What was Mamata Banerjee’s warning?
She warned of a “life-and-death” fight if anyone tries to tamper with the voting machines before the results are announced.
What did the Election Commission say about the security?
The Election Commission rejected all claims of danger. They said the strongrooms are sealed and all safety rules are being followed.