Mamata Banerjee: Amidst Vote Counting in Bengal, CM Mamata Says—Election Commission Acting Arbitrarily; TMC Workers Must Stand Firm

Amidst early trends during the vote counting for the West Bengal Assembly elections—which suggested the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was trailing and facing signs of being ousted from power—party supremo Mamata Banerjee issued a significant statement. In a video released on the social media platform Facebook, she instructed the party’s election agents and candidates not to leave the counting centers under any circumstances. Furthermore, she leveled several allegations, raising serious questions regarding the role of the Election Commission and the conduct of the central forces.

CM Mamata Banerjee’s Claims Amidst the Trends

Responding to the early trends—which indicated a massive majority for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and showed them leading in over 190 seats approximately six hours into the vote counting—CM Mamata Banerjee stated, “This is merely a projected situation.”

The Final Victory Will Belong to the Trinamool Congress

She appealed to Trinamool Congress workers to remain steadfast at the polling centers until the official declaration of the results. The CM noted that she had already expressed her apprehension just a day earlier that, during the initial two or three rounds of counting, the BJP would be shown in the lead while the TMC would appear to be trailing. Boosting the morale of party leaders, she clarified that there was no need to be disheartened by the early trends, as she firmly believes that the ultimate victory will belong to the Trinamool Congress.

Allegations of Halting Vote Counting and Serious Charges Against the Election Commission

Questioning the impartiality of the electoral process, Mamata Banerjee alleged that in several parts of the state, vote counting had been halted after just two or three rounds without any logical justification being provided. She asserted that the Election Commission is acting arbitrarily throughout the entire process. Once again raising the issue of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, she reiterated that irregularities were already occurring, thereby casting doubt on the transparency of the election.

Questions Raised Over the Role of Central Forces

The Chief Minister also leveled several serious allegations against the central forces deployed for security duties. She claimed that Trinamool workers are being subjected to harassment and atrocities. According to Mamata Banerjee, fear is being instilled among the populace through the coercive use of the central forces. In addition to excesses and atrocities committed against Trinamool Congress workers, acts of vandalism are also being carried out at their offices. She claimed that the party’s offices are being targeted.

According to Mamata, the Bengal Police Force is unable to function independently. The state police are being compelled to operate under pressure.