(Image source from: Indiatoday.in)
Voting has been halted in several locations in Falta, part of West Bengal's Diamond Harbour, after the BJP accused the Trinamool of tampering with voting machines during the second phase of elections. Diamond Harbour, located in the South 24 Paraganas district, is a key area for Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee, who is the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The BJP has claimed that the button for their party on the electronic voting machine has been covered with tape in multiple polling places in Falta within the Diamond Harbour zone of South 24 Paraganas.
The Trinamool dismissed these claims, asserting that the BJP is raising unfounded issues because they are losing in West Bengal. They also criticized the Election Commission and police observer Ajay Pal Sharma, who is an IPS officer known as "Singham. " The Trinamool accused him of intimidating their candidate Jehangir Khan. Sources from the Election Commission indicated that if any such incidents were reported, they would be investigated, and if proven accurate, those polling places would require a second election.
Amit Malviya, who is responsible for media for the BJP, has called for a re-election in all affected booths in Falta where he claims these electoral violations took place. He stated, "In various polling locations, access to vote for the BJP has been obstructed by tape, which stops voters from making their choice. This is what's being referred to as the 'Diamond Harbour Model,' the same strategy that helped Mamata Banerjee's nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, win his Lok Sabha position," Malviya explained in a social media post. He also posted videos from a booth at Harindanga High School in Falta, displaying tape on the third button of the EVM, where the BJP's Lotus symbol is located. He further alleged that another booth has been altered in a similar fashion, along with several others. In response, Trinamool spokesperson Riju Dutta mentioned that Malviya should report to his superiors and discuss the matter with the Election Commission instead of making online statements.
"This entire situation falls under the Election Commission's authority. What actions are they taking? Rather than tweeting, Amit Malviya should talk to his higher-ups to immediately dismiss (Chief Election Commissioner) Gyanesh Kumar. (Police observer) Ajay Pal Sharma should also be removed since they failed to achieve what the BJP wanted. What can we do about EVM manipulation? That is not our responsibility. We are not involved in it. What is the Election Commission doing? " Dutta stated. He added that the Trinamool is filing complaints with the right authorities when necessary, and suggested that the BJP should do the same. "They are making a fuss because they are failing after putting all their effort into Bengal and Mamata Banerjee," he remarked. Earlier in the day, Mamata Banerjee had accused the central forces of operating on behalf of the BJP and criticized the BJP for bringing in outsiders to "intimidate" voters.
