Mamata Banerjee Alleges EVM Irregularities, Stopped by Central Forces Outside Strong Room in South Kolkata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday raised serious concerns over alleged Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) irregularities after visiting a strong room at Shekhawat Memorial School in South Kolkata. Speaking to reporters outside the premises, Banerjee said she rushed to the location after seeing reports of possible manipulation in EVM storage on television. The Chief Minister claimed that upon arrival, she was initially stopped by central security forces deployed at the site. “I have come here because there is a strong room for EVMs. We found manipulations at many places. When I saw it on TV, I thought I should visit. But the central forces restricted me. I told them I have a right to go, as per election rules, candidates are allowed till outside the sealed room. I was then allowed,” she stated. Mamata Banerjee emphasized that any suspected tampering with EVMs would be strongly contested. “If there is a manipulation, we will fight,” she asserted, signaling potential political escalation over election transparency in the state. The incident has added fuel to the ongoing political tensions in West Bengal, with opposition parties and the ruling Trinamool Congress exchanging allegations over electoral integrity and security arrangements.