Suvendu Adhikari Claims Mamata 'Under Surveillance' Amid Bengal Poll Strongroom Row

Amidst the tense backdrop of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 2026, which saw polling on April 23 and 29, and are slated for results on May 4, a major political controversy has erupted concerning the security of strongrooms. The controversy centers around claims made by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and counter-allegations by Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The dispute intensified following Mamata Banerjee's late-night visit to the strongroom in Bhabanipur on April 30, 2026, a constituency where she is a candidate against Suvendu Adhikari. Banerjee remained at the strongroom premises for several hours, alleging widespread 'manipulation' and irregularities concerning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and ballot handling across the state. She explicitly warned against any attempts to tamper with the counting process, vowing a 'life and death' fight against such actions. Her visit was prompted by reports and visuals of alleged malpractices, which she communicated in a video message urging party workers to remain vigilant and guard counting centers. In a sharp retort, Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP candidate from Nandigram and Bhabanipur, claimed that Mamata Banerjee was kept 'under strict surveillance' by his election agent, Advocate Suryanil Das, during her presence at the Bhabanipur strongroom. Adhikari explicitly stated that the surveillance was to ensure she could not 'resort to any dishonest means' or avail 'any undue advantages'. He even shared CCTV footage purportedly showing Banerjee with the BJP polling agent inside the premises, reinforcing his claim of tight vigil. The BJP also hit back at the TMC's allegations, assuring voters that the EVM strongrooms were entirely secure and accusing the ruling party of spreading misinformation. The Election Commission of India (ECI) swiftly responded to the allegations of irregularities and tampering. The ECI dismissed the TMC's claims, asserting that all EVM strongrooms were sealed securely in the presence of candidates, their agents, and observers after polling concluded. Officials clarified that the activity captured in viral footage, which the TMC had cited as evidence of tampering, was part of a routine and authorized segregation of postal ballots in a separate strongroom, not tampering with EVMs. The ECI further stated that all political parties had been informed in advance about this process. To enhance security and prevent unauthorized entry on the counting day, May 4, the ECI has implemented QR-based identity cards. The strongroom controversy escalated amidst earlier tensions. On March 31, 2026, Suvendu Adhikari had already alleged that his phone location and those of other top BJP leaders were being tracked, prompting the party to lodge a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer ahead of the elections. Prior to Banerjee's visit, senior TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja staged a sit-in protest outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra strongroom complex in central Kolkata, alleging electoral malpractice and unauthorized handling of ballot papers. They claimed that CCTV footage showed outsiders fiddling with ballot papers and questioned why strongrooms were reopened without informing all political parties. The Calcutta High Court also dismissed a plea by the TMC challenging the ECI's directive to deploy central government and PSU employees for vote counting. This ongoing political confrontation highlights the high stakes in the West Bengal elections, particularly in constituencies like Bhabanipur, which is considered a crucial battleground for both Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari. The allegations and counter-allegations underscore the deep-seated rivalry and the heightened scrutiny surrounding the electoral process ahead of the crucial counting day.

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