Bhabanipur Strong Room Row: BJP Agent Hits Back at TMC Claims, EC Clarifies Process

Tensions continued around the strong room in Kolkata’s Bhabanipur area, where political accusations and counterclaims over EVM security have intensified ahead of counting day. The controversy escalated after the Trinamool Congress(TMC) alleged irregularities in strong room handling, prompting protests and sharp political exchanges outside the facility. In response, Sunil Das, the chief election agent for BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, strongly rejected the allegations, asserting that all EVMs and VVPAT systems are secure under strict surveillance. He said that TMC’s claims reflect political anxiety rather than any factual basis, emphasizing that his team has been continuously monitoring the strong room for the past 72 hours without rest. According to him, multiple layers of security and round-the-clock CCTV surveillance make any tampering virtually impossible. Das also clarified that political representatives, including candidates and agents, are permitted to observe designated monitoring areas outside the sealed strong room. However, he maintained that access to the sealed EVM storage area itself is strictly restricted as per election rules. Meanwhile, Election Commission officials reiterated that the entire process involving postal ballot segregation was conducted transparently. According to the Election Commission of India, all political parties were informed in advance that postal ballots would be sorted at 4 PM in a designated area adjacent to the strong room. Officials added that emails and written notifications were sent to all candidates and their representatives before the process began. Despite this, TMC leaders, including senior figures like Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh, staged protests alleging lack of transparency. The situation briefly escalated into a political standoff before calming down after official clarifications. With both sides maintaining their positions, the Bhabanipur strong room controversy has become a focal point of political tension in West Bengal. Authorities continue to maintain heightened security as counting day approaches, ensuring strict adherence to protocols and preventing further escalation.