The political temperature in West Bengal has soared as BJP leaders launch a blistering counteroffensive against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s accusations over the Kolkata EVM strong room standoff. Union Minister Nityanand Rai declared that Banerjee’s outburst stems from the realization that this could be her last stint in the chief minister’s chair.
Trinamool cadres had kicked off protests near strong rooms after the assembly polls, raising alarms of possible EVM interference. Rai dismissed these as theatrics of a floundering leader, telling reporters that Bengal’s electorate favors Modi’s vision over Banerjee’s era of lawlessness.
He painted a grim picture of her administration: a hotbed of assaults, rapes, and thuggery, with the government turning a blind eye to border vulnerabilities that threaten India’s sovereignty. “This dharna is pure desperation,” Rai quipped, linking it to her waning influence.
From Delhi, BL Verma doubled down, slamming Banerjee for eroding electoral norms. He clarified that nomination procedures are agent-driven and fully disclosed by poll authorities, accusing her of a blatant bid to meddle in independent functions.
Verma stressed accountability: if agents skip duties, cameras provide foolproof oversight. He subtly suggested her term’s twilight, driven by mounting challenges to her authority. In a related development, Omar Abdullah in Pampore expressed distrust in pre-poll EVM checks but advocated robust protections afterward.
Recalling ballot days with round-the-clock watches, he supported monitoring rights yet flagged SIR manipulations in voter rolls as a democratic red flag. “If proven, this threatens elections across India,” he cautioned, amplifying concerns in the Bengal imbroglio where Banerjee’s moves draw nationwide scrutiny.
