Is TMC Panicking After Exit Poll Results? High-Stakes Drama In Bengal As TMC Protests Outside Counting Centres

A major political controversy broke out in West Bengal a day after voting ended in the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. Leaders of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) staged a protest outside a key counting centre in Kolkata, raising concerns over the safety of voting machines.

The situation quickly turned tense as both the ruling party and the opposition exchanged strong statements, adding to the already heated political atmosphere.

Protest Outside Counting Centre

TMC leaders, including Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja, held a sit-in protest outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in central Kolkata. This location houses strongrooms where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are stored after polling.

The leaders claimed that CCTV footage showed unknown individuals inside the premises handling materials related to the election. They also alleged that their party representatives were not allowed to enter the strongroom area at a crucial time.

Election Commission Rejects Allegations

The Election Commission of India (ECI) strongly denied all allegations made by the TMC. Officials clarified that the strongrooms were secure and that no unauthorised activity had taken place.

According to officials, the strongroom was briefly opened only to process postal ballots, which is a routine part of election procedure. They stated that this was done in the presence of authorised personnel and party representatives were informed.

West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, said that multiple layers of security, including state police and central forces, were guarding the EVMs.

Mamata Banerjee Calls for Vigil

Amid the controversy, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged her party workers to stay alert and monitor the strongrooms round the clock. She warned of possible attempts to tamper with EVMs during transportation and asked candidates to remain vigilant.

Banerjee also expressed confidence in her party's performance, claiming that the TMC would win at least 226 out of 294 seats.

BJP Hits Back at TMC Claims

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rejected the allegations and accused the TMC of creating unnecessary controversy. BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya said the ruling party was making such claims because it feared defeat.

He added that the public had already made its decision and suggested that the TMC was trying to keep its supporters motivated ahead of the results.

Exit Polls Add Fuel to the Debate

The controversy has come at a time when exit polls have predicted a strong performance for the BJP in the state. Banerjee, however, dismissed these projections, calling them misleading and politically influenced.

She claimed that her party would perform much better than predicted and could even cross the 230-seat mark.

What Happens Next?

With counting day approaching, the focus is now on how the situation unfolds. The Election Commission has assured that all procedures are being followed strictly and that the integrity of the voting process remains intact.

The political row in West Bengal highlights the intense competition and high stakes in the ongoing assembly elections. While allegations and counter-allegations continue, the final outcome will only be clear once the votes are counted.

Until then, the state remains on edge, with all eyes on the counting process and the results that will decide its political future.