Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP of rigging Bengal polls, Suvendu Adhikari hits back

Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of rigging and slammed Election Commission observers, calling them 'terrorists'. BJP leader. In response, Suvendu Adhikari alleged that she was moving with 'goonda elements' to intimidate voters and claimed Hindu voters were being threatened during polling in Bhabanipur, escalating political tensions.

In Short

• Mamata accuses BJP of rigging and EC observers of terror tactics
• Suvendu Adhikari counters, accusing Mamata of voter intimidation
• Voting underway in 142 constituencies with heavy security

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged “rigging” during the ongoing second phase of voting and accused Election Commission observers of acting like “terrorists.” For a brief moment, Mamata came face to face with her challenger and West Bengal’s Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur. As Suvendu arrived in Bhabanipur, Mamata was already seated at Ward Number 70. “Look at her,” Suvendu repeatedly said. “No one is voting for her today.”

Moments earlier, Mamata alleged that central forces were intimidating voters by forcibly entering the residences of her party members. She made the remarks during a visit to TMC councillor Ashim Bose in Kolkata.

She further claimed that central forces had entered Bose’s house late last night, which prompted her visit to meet him this morning.

Mamata, who is fighting from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, said, “Look how our worker was beaten up at night. Just look at this atrocity. What kind of hooliganism is going on? Voting does not happen like this. Voting is a festival of democracy, but they have completely ruined it. The intention is very clear that the BJP wants to forcibly rig the election. Our workers and people are ready to die, but they will not leave the place.”

In response to Mamata’s charges, Suvendu alleged that she was “roaming around with goonda elements” and attempting to intimidate voters. He further claimed that Hindu voters were being threatened during the polling process in Bhabanipur.

All eyes are on Bhabanipur, where voting is underway today. In 2021, Mamata had challenged Suvendu in his home turf of Nandigram, where the BJP leader managed a slim win over his bete noire. In 2026, Suvendu turned the tables by challenging Mamata on her home turf of Bhabanipur, aiming to unseat her.

In a departure from her usual practice of stepping out of her Kalighat residence in the afternoon to cast her vote at Mitra Institution School, Banerjee left before 8 am and visited several polling stations in the constituency, including booths in the Chetla area of south Kolkata.

Later, Banerjee sat outside a polling station at Chakraberia in Bhabanipur and alleged irregularities in the voting process. She accused the BJP of trying to influence polling through central forces and observers.

"Several observers have come from outside and are acting as per the BJP's directions. People are supposed to cast their votes - can voting take place like this?" she said. She also alleged that all TMC party flags had been removed beforehand and claimed that outsiders were interfering with polling.

Banerjee further said, "They are not allowing the councillor of ward number 70 to step out. They are picking up all our boys. Abhishek and I stayed awake the entire night." She claimed that some people from outside the state were trying to create disturbances in the constituency and sought immediate intervention from the Election Commission.

The BJP rejected the allegations and said the ruling party was trying to create confusion after sensing public anger against it. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, after casting his vote at Mitra Institution, alleged high-handedness by poll observers in different places. He also said the TMC would win more seats than it did in 2021. "But these things will not matter, we will win by a higher number of seats this election," the Diamond Harbour MP told reporters.

Adhikari, meanwhile, said the Chief Minister would lose the election. The BJP leader offered prayers at two temples in the Khidirpur area of the constituency and said voters were turning out in large numbers, with the Election Commission making proper arrangements for a free and fair election. Referring to Banerjee stepping out early on polling day, he told reporters, "Does not matter, she will lose."

The result of the phase is expected to be significant as it covers south Bengal, regarded as the TMC's traditional stronghold, where the BJP is looking to make major gains. Bhabanipur remained at the centre of attention through the day, with Banerjee alleging interference and seeking action from the Election Commission, while the BJP dismissed her charges and Adhikari maintained that she would be defeated.

- Ends