The political temperature in West Bengal soared as BJP heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari tore into Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, labeling her strong room intrusion and EVM tampering fears as a desperate ploy driven by election loss anxieties. This came amid a fresh row over the security of electronic voting machines in Kolkata.
In his media briefing, Adhikari, the fiery Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, highlighted Banerjee’s predictable playbook. ‘For 15 years, whenever the wind blows against her, she cries EVM foul. It’s impossible for her to break this habit, especially now that defeat looms large,’ he asserted.
The trigger was Banerjee’s Thursday video address warning of manipulations in EVM storage facilities. Donning her signature persona, she stormed into a strong room that evening, camping there for hours and leveling direct charges of meddling.
State election authorities promptly refuted the claims, assuring integrity of all EVMs and postal ballots. BJP’s Dilip Ghosh piled on, observing a series of preemptive excuses from TMC: ‘First sub-inspectors, then poll panels, central troops, and now strong rooms. They’ve accepted defeat and are scripting their narrative.’
With 15 years of unchallenged rule under TMC facing a real test, this spat reveals underlying tensions. Ghosh warned that such antics only expose the ruling party’s fragility. As campaigns heat up, Adhikari’s bold stance rallies BJP supporters, framing the battle as one between accountability and evasion. The electorate’s verdict could redefine Bengal’s future.
