India
oi-Ashish Rana
With the West Bengal assembly election results drawing closer, the political atmosphere in the state has become even more charged, with fresh allegations over strongroom activity adding to the already tense countdown. As rival camps spar over exit poll projections, the Trinamool Congress has now raised serious questions over alleged irregularities involving ballot boxes and postal ballots in Kolkata.
Ahead of West Bengal election results, Trinamool Congress leaders protested alleged irregularities involving ballot boxes in Kolkata strongrooms, while CM Mamata Banerjee warned of BJP manipulation, amidst diverging exit poll predictions.
Kunal Ghosh, Shashi Panja Sit On Dharna Outside Netaji Indoor Stadium
In a dramatic development ahead of counting day, Trinamool Congress candidate from Beleghata, Kunal Ghosh, and senior party leader Shashi Panja staged a dharna outside Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata. The protest was triggered by allegations that ballot boxes were being opened inside strong rooms without the presence of the required stakeholders.
The TMC leaders claimed that the Election Commission and the BJP were involved in opening the strong rooms despite party representatives not being present. The protest quickly turned into a flashpoint as concerns over transparency in the handling of ballot material intensified.
“Party workers and supporters were present outside the strongroom till 3.30 pm. Suddenly, an email was sent informing that the strongroom would be opened again at 4 pm. We contacted our workers and they said they had left. We then rushed here. Now we are not being allowed to enter. BJP is being invited,” Ghosh told reporters.
He further questioned the movement of ballot papers and the lack of clarity from election authorities.
“Ballot papers are being moved inside. Yet the CEO is saying nothing is happening. If postal ballots are being processed, where did they come from? If an email was sent, why were we not informed?” he asked.
Mamata Banerjee Calls For Overnight Vigil At EVM Strongrooms
The protest by Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja comes close on the heels of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s strong appeal to party workers to remain alert through the night and keep watch on EVM strongrooms.
In a sharply worded warning, Banerjee alleged that the BJP was preparing for last-minute manipulation and urged TMC workers not to lower their guard until counting is fully complete.
“BJP has played the final game. Share markets would have toppled if the real figures were released. People need to stay together, keep a close watch on counting… stay up all night,” she said, adding that she will guard the EVM strongrooms herself if need be.
She also raised fears of possible EVM swapping and manipulation of counting data systems.
“They plan to swap EVMs …. till the time I hold a press conference and declare, do not leave counting tables … they might change data in computers, giving our numbers to BJP and BJP’s to us, I myself will go to the counting hall, I can do that as a candidate. You have gone through so much. Please bear slightly more to save Bengal,” she said.
VIDEO | Kolkata: TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja sit on dharna outside Netaji Indoor Stadium; allege BJP, EC office opening ballot boxes in strong room without presence of relevant party stakeholders.
(Full video available on PTI Videos- https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)… pic.twitter.com/weC76Tyu6G
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 30, 2026“>
Exit Polls Paint A Deeply Divided Picture In West Bengal
Even as the allegations over strongroom access dominate the political conversation, exit polls for West Bengal have presented sharply contrasting scenarios, making the contest appear far from settled.
According to Matrize, the TMC+ alliance may narrowly miss the majority mark, with a projected tally of 125 to 140 seats. The BJP has been given a slight edge, with the pollster estimating 146 to 161 seats, suggesting a neck-and-neck battle.
P-Marq has also projected an advantage for the BJP, predicting the saffron party could win between 150 and 175 seats. The Trinamool Congress, according to this forecast, may be reduced to 118 to 138 seats, while other parties could take two to six seats.
Polls Poll Diary has similarly suggested a BJP victory, estimating the party could secure 142 to 171 seats, while the TMC may remain below the halfway mark with 99 to 127 seats.
Today’s Chanakya has gone even further, predicting a major BJP sweep with more than 192 seats. In that projection, the TMC and its alliance are expected to be limited to around 100 seats.
People’s Pulse Bucks The Trend, Predicts TMC Retention Of Power
Amid multiple surveys projecting gains for the BJP, People’s Pulse has stood out with a very different forecast. The pollster has suggested that the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government may still return to power in West Bengal, though with a reduced strength compared to its current numbers.
According to People’s Pulse, the TMC could win between 177 and 187 seats, down from its present tally of 215 in the Assembly. The BJP, in this estimate, is projected to secure 95 to 110 seats.
The wide gap between various exit polls has only added to the suspense ahead of the official results, with both the political battle and the war of narratives intensifying in the final hours before counting begins.
