West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged serious irregularities before casting her vote in Bhabanipur, claiming that “democracy is under attack” amid heavy deployment of central forces. She accused the Election Commission of India and the Central Reserve Police Force of intimidating voters and detaining party workers, stating that polling booths had effectively been taken over and that state police presence was minimal.
Speaking to the media, Banerjee said, “Since last night, atrocities have begun, and many of our people have been arrested. I have never seen this kind of democracy. The Trinamool Congress is winning; the CRPF cannot treat us this way or subject us to such intimidation. You see there is no presence of state police at the booths everything has been taken over. Instead of ensuring broader security, they have allowed the process to be captured.”
“We want peaceful elections and want people to cast their votes peacefully. Various police officers have been brought in. The whole night they have been torturing and threatening people. There is torture across Bengal and observers have created an environment of fear,” Banerjee added to her statement.
Mamata Banerjee also highlighted the case of a person named Babai, alleging that his family was subjected to late night threats by CRPF personnel, underscoring her claims of intimidation during the polling process, she said, “At night, CRPF personnel without state police and local police went to the residence of our councillor Babai. His wife was alone with the child. Her mobile phone was snatched, and she was threatened that Babai should not work,” Banerjee alleged. We have sent a contempt of court notice, yet police observers have been brought in here. They are clearly working according to the BJP.”
“If you go to Chakraberia, you will see that all our posters have been removed. Is this the way elections are meant to be conducted? It is not the police and security forces, but the people who will cast their vote. Is there goondaraj prevailing? Election is a festival of democracy. The officer in charge of Bijoygarh police station has beaten our workers,” Banerjee also alleged. Closing her remarks, Banerjee voiced firm confidence that the Trinamool Congress would return to power with a commanding two thirds majority in West Bengal this year.
While voting largely proceeded, isolated incidents ranging from clashes between party workers to allegations of booth disruptions and EVM glitches were reported from several districts. Security was visibly heightened, with thousands of central armed police personnel deployed across more than 41,000 polling stations to maintain order.
Her remarks came during Phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly elections, where scattered reports of tension, clashes, and disruptions surfaced from multiple districts. The Trinamool Congress leadership echoed her concerns, alleging harassment and obstruction, while opposition leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rejected the claims, calling them politically motivated. Despite the charged atmosphere, voter participation remained strikingly high. Turnout stood at approximately 92.67%.
