‘Alarming’! TMC Raises Alarm Over Strongroom ‘Irregularities’ in Kolkata, Demands Full Transparency Ahead of Ahead of Poll Results

Tensions escalated in Kolkata on Thursday as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) staged a dramatic sit-in protest alleging serious irregularities inside an EVM strongroom just hours after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged party workers to maintain strict vigil.

The protest unfolded at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, where senior TMC leaders including Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja launched a dharna, claiming suspicious activity inside the facility storing electronic voting machines ahead of counting day. According to TMC leaders, party representatives who had been monitoring the strongroom were suddenly asked to leave earlier in the day. Soon after, an internal communication allegedly indicated that the strongroom would be reopened—without prior intimation to all stakeholders. 

“Live-streaming footage and CCTV visuals showed activity inside the strong room despite the absence of TMC representatives,” Senior TMC leader and Manicktala candidate Kunal Ghosh said while at a sit-in dharna. He alleged that party members were being denied entry while being asked to coordinate with other candidates. “Why should we take responsibility for others?” he added. 

TMC Minister Sashi Panja echoed concerns over possible irregularities, alleging “alarming lack of transparency”. 

Speaking to NTT, Kunal Ghosh also informed that TMC is set to lodge a formal complaint with the Election Commission. 

The controversy deepened after CCTV footage surfaced, which TMC claims shows unidentified individuals entering the strongroom and opening ballot boxes in the absence of authorized party agents. “Outsiders were seen handling ballot materials—this raises serious questions about transparency,” party leaders alleged, demanding immediate clarification. 

TMC further questioned the movement of ballot papers inside the facility, pointing to live-stream visuals that appeared to show activity despite official assurances that no such process was underway. The party described the situation as “highly sensitive” and insisted that any opening of strongrooms must involve prior notification to all political parties. 

The protest comes amid heightened political tension following exit polls and ahead of the crucial vote counting. Earlier, Mamata Banerjee had called for round-the-clock vigilance by party workers at all strongrooms, underlining concerns about safeguarding electoral integrity. 

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly rejected the allegations, calling them “baseless” and “rumours.” Party leaders maintained that all procedures are being followed under strict supervision and accused the TMC of attempting to create unnecessary panic ahead of results. Senior BJP leader Tapas Roy firmly rejected the claims, calling them completely unfounded. “TMC was deliberately spreading rumours to create panic out of fear. I personally visited the strongroom to verify the situation and insisted there was no truth to the allegations,” Roy added while speaking with NTT. 

The unfolding situation has triggered political sparring in the state, with both sides trading charges as authorities reiterate that security protocols remain intact. Security forces were deployed to control the situation after TMC and BJP party workers chanted ‘Joy Bangla’ and ‘Joy Shree Ram’ slogan respectively. 

Meanwhile, Election Commission has rejected allegations by TMC and detailed that the all the ballots, from at least 7 constituencies, that are to be counted in Khudiram Anushilan Kendra are “duly closed and sealed.”

with Titas Mukherjee