KOLKATA: The political rivalry between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP has intensified in West Bengal following the BJP’s massive victory in the Falta Assembly constituency by-election with a margin of over one lakh votes. A fresh political dispute erupted after TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee formally submitted a complaint to the Election Commission alleging severe irregularities in the vote-counting process. Taking to the X platform, Abhishek Banerjee claimed that during the initial counting on May 4, counting agents of all parties except the BJP were forcefully removed from the counting centers by election officials and central forces. The Election Commission’s decision to order a repoll across all 285 booths in Falta—traditionally a TMC stronghold—following allegations of EVM manipulation had already triggered a huge controversy.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari hit back strongly at the Trinamool Congress’s allegations. Mocking the opposition, Suvendu Adhikari stated that the TMC’s infamous ‘Diamond Harbour’ model has now been rejected by the people and has turned into a model of ‘TMC’s perennial defeat.’ He further criticized the Trinamool Congress, calling it a mafia company of corrupt individuals lacking any ideology, adding that the party’s true state has been exposed after losing power. The Chief Minister noted on X that the real mandate became clear once the public regained their right to vote freely and independently. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Falta for granting a massive majority to BJP candidate Debangshu Panda.
(With inputs from MN)
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