'Load-shedding is being deliberately imposed': Mamata Banerjee alleges CCTV shut-offs, suspicious movement near strong rooms

Hours before counting of votes began in West Bengal and other states, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee flagged alleged irregularities at multiple locations. Posting in the early hours of Monday, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader claimed disruptions were being reported from several constituencies.

She wrote, "I'm receiving reports from various places that load-shedding is being deliberately imposed. From Hooghly's Serampore, Nadia’s Krishnanagar, to Burdwan's Ausgram, and Kolkata's Kshudiram Anushilan Kendra, such incidents have come to light where load-shedding is being done in phases, CCTV is being turned off, and vehicles are moving in and out of strong rooms."

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Call for vigilance

Banerjee urged party workers and supporters to remain alert through the night, stressing the need to monitor strong rooms where EVMs are kept. She asked them to report any suspicious activity and seek access to surveillance records if needed.

In her message, she said people should "be vigilant, keep watch, stay awake at night," and "file complaints". She further alleged, "If anyone creates any suspicious situation anywhere, surround them, file complaints immediately, and demand CCTV footage. All of this is being done at the behest of the BJP."

Strong rooms under focus

The remarks come amid heightened political tension, with strong rooms, where Electronic Voting Machines are stored after polling, under close scrutiny. Banerjee also reiterated the importance of guarding these facilities, calling on workers to stay alert until counting begins.

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This is not the first time the Trinamool Congress has raised concerns around the electoral process in the state. Earlier, the party had alleged ballot tampering in Kolkata and urged workers to "stay up all night and guard the EVM strongrooms".

Complaints during polling

During the second phase of polling, the Election Commission of India received multiple complaints related to EVM functioning. Officials said at least 77 complaints of alleged tampering were recorded. Of these, 32 were reported from Falta, 13 from Magrahat and 29 from Diamond Harbour.

The allegations come just hours before results are set to be counted, with the All India Trinamool Congress led by Banerjee facing the Bharatiya Janata Party in a closely watched contest.