West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s historic victory in the state Assembly elections, accusing the poll body of acting in collusion with the BJP and “looting” the democratic mandate.
Addressing a press conference after the Trinamool Congress suffered a massive electoral setback, Banerjee described the Election Commission as the “villain” of the election and alleged large-scale manipulation of the electoral process, including Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), administrative interference and intimidation of party workers.
“Sad to say, EC became the villain of this election to loot the democratic rights of the people and to loot the EVM. Can you tell me that after voting, EVM has 80-90% charge? How is it possible?” Banerjee said.
She alleged that IAS and IPS officers were changed shortly before polling and accused the BJP of directly coordinating with the Election Commission.
“Two days before the election, they started arresting our people. They started raiding everywhere. They changed all IPS and IAS officers. They selected people from their party, and the BJP played the game directly with the Election Commission. It is a battle against the BJP and the Election Commission,” she said.
The BJP is set to form its first-ever government in West Bengal after winning 206 seats in the Assembly elections, a dramatic rise from its 77-seat tally in 2021. The Trinamool Congress, which had secured 212 seats in the previous election, was reduced to 80 seats.
Banerjee also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of interfering in the electoral process. According to her, nearly 90 lakh names were deleted during the Special Intensive Revision process and only 32 lakh names were restored after court intervention.
“PM and HM are also involved, with direct interference. They deleted 90 lakh names in the SIR. When we went to court, 32 lakh names were included. They played dirty, nasty and mischievous games. I have never seen this type of election in my life,” she alleged.
The outgoing Chief Minister said leaders from across the INDIA bloc had contacted her following the election result and expressed solidarity with the Trinamool Congress.
“Sonia ji, Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav and Hemant Soren rang me up. All the allies of the INDIA Alliance told me that they are totally and absolutely with me,” Banerjee said.
She added that Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav would visit West Bengal soon and that other opposition leaders were expected to follow.
“Akhilesh requested me if he could come today itself, but I told him to come tomorrow. So, he will come tomorrow. One by one, everyone will come,” she said.
Banerjee said she would continue strengthening the INDIA bloc despite losing power in the state.
“My target is very clear. I will strengthen the INDIA team, just like a small person. I don’t have a chair now, so I am a commoner. I am now a free bird,” she said.
She also highlighted what she described as her personal sacrifices during her political career.
“I gave my entire life in service to the people. Even in these 15 years, I have not withdrawn one paisa of pension. I am not taking one paisa of salary either,” she said.
Amid reports of post-poll violence in parts of the state, Banerjee announced that the Trinamool Congress would form a 10-member fact-finding committee to visit violence-hit areas.
“We have decided to form a fact-finding committee of 10 members that will be visiting the violence-hit areas. The committee will have five MPs too,” she said.
The TMC chief further alleged that attempts were made to target party offices and leaders after the election outcome.
“They even tried to capture the TMC Headquarters yesterday. Stones were pelted at Abhishek’s office. You cannot torture like this,” she alleged.
Warning the BJP-led Centre against misuse of power, Banerjee said, “If you torture people, please understand that when you are not in power in the Centre, you will have to face the same battle. History will repeat itself.”
She also claimed there was chaos and violence at counting centres during the vote counting process. According to Banerjee, BJP supporters and security personnel intimidated TMC counting agents and workers.
“After the first round of counting, they started saying that the BJP is getting 195-200. You didn’t wait for the final result. You didn’t even wait for five-six rounds,” she said.
Banerjee claimed that while she was leading by around 30,000 votes with five rounds remaining, BJP workers entered the counting premises accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force personnel.
“The BJP candidate went inside along with 200 CRPF personnel and 200 outside goons, then they beat up our people,” she alleged.
She further alleged that she herself was physically assaulted when she reached the counting centre.
“They stopped my car, but I took another route. When I entered, the CRPF told me that I was not allowed to go. I said that I am a candidate,” she said.
Banerjee claimed she requested election officials to halt counting until normalcy was restored.
“I complained to the RO that counting should be stopped immediately until normalcy is restored,” she said.
She also alleged that CCTV cameras were switched off during the incident.
“They kicked me in my belly, backside and manhandled and assaulted me. That time CCTV was off,” Banerjee claimed.
The BJP has not officially responded in detail to the allegations raised by Banerjee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, hailed the BJP’s victory as a “historic fulfilment” of the vision of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya announced that the new BJP-led government would take oath on May 9, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.
“The Prime Minister announced yesterday that on 25th Baisakh, that is May 9, Rabindranath Tagore’s birthday, this government will take the oath,” Bhattacharya said.
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