In a sharp political attack following his meeting with Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of layering “lies like soan papdi” and questioned the transparency of the electoral process.
Addressing the media, Yadav alleged that BJP leaders appear “afraid of CCTV cameras and surveillance footage” and called for greater transparency from the Election Commission of India (ECI). He specifically demanded that CCTV footage from polling in Kundarki be made public.
“If the Election Commission is truly impartial, then let the CCTV footage of polling be shown to the public,” Yadav stated. He further suggested that if full public disclosure is not possible, the footage should at least be shared with the media. “If not all channels, then invite selected ones—and call us too,” he added.
Drawing a comparison with judicial transparency, Yadav referenced live broadcasts of proceedings in the Supreme Court of India, arguing that similar openness should be applied to elections. “When Supreme Court proceedings can be broadcast live, why can’t polling and counting footage be shown?” he questioned.
He emphasized that releasing such footage would reinforce public trust and send a strong message about the integrity of India’s democratic institutions. According to Yadav, even the BJP could benefit politically from such transparency if it leads to greater credibility in the electoral process.
The remarks come amid heightened political activity and scrutiny over electoral conduct, especially in states like West Bengal, where opposition parties have repeatedly raised concerns about fairness and accountability.
