TMC Alleges Poll Irregularities as Suvendu Adhikari Sworn in as West Bengal CM

In a significant political development, Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The oath-taking ceremony, held at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata at 11 am, was a high-profile event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states, underscoring the national importance of the BJP's victory in West Bengal. Adhikari's ascent to the Chief Minister's office followed the BJP's historic win in the recent West Bengal assembly elections, the results of which were declared on May 4, 2026. The BJP secured a decisive majority, bringing an end to the Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s fifteen-year rule in the state. Notably, Adhikari had previously defeated TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 and subsequently secured a victory against her in her stronghold of Bhabanipur in the 2026 elections, solidifying his position as a key figure in Bengal's new political landscape. However, the transition of power has been met with strong condemnation and serious allegations from the Trinamool Congress, particularly concerning the conduct of the elections. Following Adhikari's oath, the TMC launched a fresh offensive against the Election Commission of India (ECI). Abhishek Banerjee, the National General Secretary of the TMC, alleged widespread electoral fraud, including the disenfranchisement of voters and partisan actions by institutional bodies, specifically pointing fingers at the Election Commission. Banerjee's criticisms intensified days before Adhikari's swearing-in, with repeated demands for transparency from the ECI. On May 5 and 6, 2026, just after the election results were announced, he publicly challenged the Election Commission to release the complete CCTV footage from all counting centers across West Bengal, specifically for the period between 12 PM and 6 PM on May 4, 2026, the day votes were counted. He claimed that TMC workers were forcibly removed from counting centers and alleged discrepancies in the counting process. Among the specific irregularities cited by Abhishek Banerjee were mismatches between the serial numbers of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) recorded in Form 17C and those actually brought to the counting tables. He also questioned the unusually high battery charge (92-95%) displayed by many EVMs that had been in use for 12 hours, suggesting potential tampering or swapping of machines. Banerjee stated that the TMC would only accept the people's mandate once the requested CCTV footage was made public, vowing to take legal recourse against the election results. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had also voiced strong objections to the election outcome on May 5, 2026, dismissing it as "not a people's mandate but a conspiracy." She accused the Election Commission of acting at the behest of the BJP, stating that the TMC was effectively fighting the EC, which she claimed was "working for the BJP." This sentiment was echoed in earlier instances where TMC had filed complaints against Suvendu Adhikari for alleged election code violations and hate speech, and accused the EC of bias. The allegations by the TMC reflect a deep-seated distrust in the electoral process as conducted in West Bengal. The party maintains that the poll outcome was influenced by "systematic irregularities" and has committed to moving the court to address these concerns. The political battle in West Bengal is far from over, with the newly sworn-in BJP government facing a formidable opposition that continues to question the legitimacy of its victory and the fairness of the electoral system. This ongoing confrontation highlights the intense political polarization and heightened scrutiny of democratic institutions in the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Story on Quick Digest