‘Few hundred crores from Odisha for Bhowanipore’: Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP of attempting to rig Assembly Polls

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of running a “cash-for-votes” bid in Bhowanipore, claiming that at least “few hundred crore” had been transported from Odisha in a black Scorpio and was being distributed among residents in slum areas.

Addressing public meeting on Sunday in her home turf, Bhawanipore constituency, the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief accused the state’s opposition of resorting to illegal measures to “buy votes”. Citing a source, CM Banerjee stated that she was made aware of the situation from a native of Chetla constituency, who informed her that “money was being distributed among voters.”

“They have changed all my officers from Odisha border. I am aware of a few thousand crores that was smuggled across the state border in a black Scorpio car aiming to be distributed among voters in Bhawanipore. A part of such cash distribution already took place in Chetla, an informant told me. But I was also assured that those who took the money will not vote for BJP,” the TMC supremo said from a public meeting on the second last day of her campaigns before the state goes for its second phase of polling on April 29. 

She also stressed the importance of electoral vigilance. She urged voters to carefully check their VVPAT slips after casting their ballots and cautioned that any malfunctioning machine should be reported immediately and avoided.

Banerjee warned against inducements, alleging that money was being handed out in exchange for votes. She advised voters to stay away from independent candidates and “outsiders”, while describing the election as a “festival of democracy”. Emphasising peaceful participation, she encouraged people to carry their voter slips, remain alert, and not give in to provocation.

Her day-long campaign followed a packed schedule across the Bhowanipore Assembly Constituency, beginning with a march from Lansdowne to Kalighat Fire Station. This was followed by a series of public meetings at key locations, including Camac Street near Vardaan Market, the Ganga Prasad Mukherjee Road–Paddapukur Road crossing, Mansatala crossing, and Kalighat.

The chief minister also alleged that the BJP was attempting to influence the electoral process through the Election Commission of India and the deployment of central forces. She claimed that police personnel posted in the area had been selectively chosen following large-scale reshuffles and accused them of failing to act against BJP workers while targeting TMC supporters. She further questioned whether proper naka-checking was being carried out despite the alleged movement of large sums of cash.

Raising concerns about the integrity of the voting process, Banerjee warned of possible attempts to “capture EVMs” and alleged that central forces could be used to intimidate voters. She called on women, in particular, to remain calm but vigilant around polling stations. Voters, she said, should avoid using faulty machines and return to vote again if necessary.

Projecting confidence, Banerjee claimed that her party had already secured over 100 seats in the first phase and would add another 100 in the next round, asserting that this had left the BJP “afraid”. She also alleged misuse of central agencies to sway the election outcome and reiterated her opposition to the implementation of the NRC.

Highlighting her government’s record, Banerjee described West Bengal as a “mini-India” where communities coexist peacefully. She pointed to development initiatives such as the construction and renovation of religious sites, expanded healthcare access through linkages with SSKM Hospital, and the upgrading of Bhawanipur Education Society College into a university with state support. She also cited welfare measures for traders and gig workers, noting that the state had avoided increasing taxes despite rising central levies.

Rejecting criticism from the BJP, she dismissed allegations regarding women’s safety and urban conditions in Kolkata, asserting that the city belongs equally to both the rich and the poor. She also took aim at the Centre over security concerns, referring to the Pahalgam incident and questioning the priorities in deploying central forces.