In the tense hours leading up to West Bengal’s assembly election vote tally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to X to rally her troops. Accusing the BJP of orchestrating power cuts targeting counting stations, she painted a picture of foul play that could undermine the democratic process.
‘Be alert. Keep watch. Stay awake all night. Lodge complaints,’ Banerjee posted, detailing incidents of load-shedding from Shrirampur in Hooghly to Krishnanagar in Nadia, Ausgram in Burdwan, and Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata. She highlighted systematic blackouts, switched-off CCTVs, and unauthorized vehicle movements around strong rooms.
Emphasizing her personal commitment—’I’m staying up all night monitoring everything’—she implored TMC workers to guard the votes zealously. ‘If any dubious activity arises, report it instantly and insist on CCTV evidence. This is BJP’s doing,’ she charged.
Monday’s counting for 293 seats at 77 centers starts with postal votes, fortified by massive security deployments. The election, marked by the highest-ever 92.47% voter turnout since independence, ended April 29 after two phases. Falta’s poll was canceled over grave malpractices, repoll scheduled for May 21.
Banerjee’s Sunday night huddle with Bhowanipore agents signals TMC’s all-out defense mode. With both parties crying tampering, the count promises drama in this battleground state.
