“226+… TMC forming government”: Mamata Banerjee urges hyper vigilance, vows to guard EVMs herself

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday placed strong emphasis on safeguarding the integrity of the vote counting process, urging party workers and candidates to remain vigilant till the results are out, apprehensive of foul play by BJP.

In a video statement, Banerjee combined a note of confidence with a call for strict monitoring, asserting that the Trinamool Congress is set to cross the majority mark. “We will cross 226 seats…” she said projecting a decisive mandate for her party.
At the same time she repeatedly warned of possible irregularities in the counting process and urged what she described as ‘hyper vigilance’ at every stage. “I want all the 294 party candidates to properly guard their booths during counting, I will keep a watch over my own domain; I expect the same level of vigilance from you." Banerjee said, adding that her party agents must remain alert and present throughout. 

Highlighting concerns over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), she alleged that there could be attempts to tamper with them during transit. “The BJP has planned to switch EVM machines while they would be transferred to where the counting would be held,” she claimed. 
She also cautioned against potential discrepancies during the digital tabulation of votes. “They change the number while uploading it to the computer,” she alleged, urging party workers to remain attentive throughout the process. Advising precaution in unavoidable situations, she added, “When you think you have to go to the washroom or eat, appoint someone who cannot be bought with money.”
These remarks bring the focus sharply onto the post poll process, with the Chief Minister repeatedly stressing the need for alertness to prevent any alleged interference.

Banerjee further alleged that central forces deployed during the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 were “working as BJP agents,” claiming they were operating under the “direct instruction of” Home Minister Amit Shah and PM Narendra Modi. She also accused the BJP of attempting to influence public perception through sections of the media, stating that “botched up figures” were being circulated deliberately. According to her, such actions were aimed at “breaking the morale of party workers” and preventing a potential downturn in the share market.

In the same statement, Banerjee also made broader allegations regarding the electoral environment. She claimed that central authorities and BJP leaders had attempted to influence the elections through administrative power, financial means and force, but asserted that such efforts had been rejected by voters. She also referred to incidents of violence in areas such as Chakraberia, Bhatpara, Jagatdal and Noapara, alleging that party workers, women, children and even journalists were attacked.

She further mentioned raids in Bhawanipur over the past two nights and referred to a video circulated earlier, claiming that it was “forcefully” spread to influence public morale. Additionally, Banerjee alleged that exit polls in 2016 and 2021 were manipulated and raised concerns about money being used to influence voters. 

Despite these concerns she expressed confidence in her party’s electoral prospects, stating that the Trinamool Congress would secure a decisive mandate.