Kumar Bahukhandi
Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and BJP candidate from Bhabanipur and Nandigram constituencies Suvendu Adhikari (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav)
The BJP leader’s statement comes amid allegations of EVM tampering, with claims that the party symbol (lotus) was “covered with tape” in certain polling booths in the Falta constituency
Kolkata: Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has welcomed repolls across 15 polling stations in the state, but stressed that the entire Falta Assembly segment should also undergo repolling.
“Whatever happened at Magrahat West is welcomed. The re-polling should have happened in more booths in Diamond Harbour and in the whole of the Falta segment, it should happen in at least 60 booths,” Adhikari, who is also the BJP candidate from Bhabanipur and Nandigram, told reporters on Friday.
The BJP leader’s statement comes amid allegations of EVM tampering, with claims that the party symbol (lotus) was “covered with tape” in certain polling booths in the Falta constituency of South 24 Parganas district.
When asked whether a separate announcement for Falta could be made, he said the Election Commission follows due procedure. “They are thinking something… they have observer reports, presiding officer’s handbook, CCTV footage. They have a system and they are doing it. I respect the Election Commission, not like how Mamata Banerjee ji does,” he added.
BJP leader and Kharagpur candidate Dilip Ghosh also welcomed the repolls, while criticising the TMC over allegations related to strong room tampering. “Mamata Banerjee has reached a point of frustration… She has to motivate her workers to go to the counting room; otherwise her chances of winning could be reduced. This clearly shows that she is going to lose,” Ghosh told ANI.
On TMC approaching the Supreme Court against the ECI’s order barring state officials from being appointed as counting supervisors, Ghosh alleged that Mamata Banerjee is “creating chaos.” “Why is TMC creating chaos if they are winning? Now Mamata is fighting against strong rooms and EVMs, while people are fighting against her,” he said.
Repolling is underway in 15 polling stations of South 24 Parganas district, including 11 in Magrahat Paschim and four in Diamond Harbour constituencies. The Election Commission said the decision was based on inputs from the state poll machinery, with voting being held from 7 am to 6 pm.
( Source : ANI )
