Falta EVM Tape Controversy: There was an uproar in Falta assembly constituency of West Bengal over the allegation of tape being put on EVM. BJP accused of stopping the voting, after which the Election Commission ordered repoll at the affected booths.
Falta assembly seat of Diamond Harbor Lok Sabha constituency of West Bengal had already become the center of political tension before the voting, but the allegation of taping on the EVM on the day of voting made the whole matter more explosive. Bharatiya Janata Party has seriously accused Trinamool Congress of stopping voters from voting in favor of BJP. Now, considering this matter as serious, the Election Commission has ordered re-poll at the affected booths. This development has made Falta the most talked about battleground of Bengal elections.
First ‘Singham vs Pushpa’, now tape controversy on EVM
Falta assembly seat, which is part of Abhishek Banerjee’s Diamond Harbor Lok Sabha constituency, was already in the news for the clash between TMC candidate Jahangir Khan and police observer Ajay Pal Sharma. IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma had given a strict warning to Jahangir Khan and his family before the voting that any irregularities in the voting process would not be tolerated. On this Khan retorted and said – “If he is Singham, then I am Pushpa.” Now the allegations of EVM tampering on this seat have further increased the political temperature.
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BJP candidate accused of stopping votes
BJP candidate Debangshu Panda alleged that the buttons in front of his name and election symbol were deliberately covered with tape at several polling stations. He claims that due to this voters were not able to vote in his favor. He said that all this was done in a planned manner to influence fair voting. It was told that this matter first came to light in booth number 144, while similar complaints were also reported in booth 170 and 189.
Amit Malviya shared videos on social media
BJP IT cell chief and Bengal co-incharge Amit Malviya raised the issue on social media platform X. While sharing the alleged video, he wrote that at many booths the voting option was closed by taping it in front of the name of the BJP candidate, due to which the voters could not cast the vote of their choice. Calling it the “Diamond Harbor Model”, he alleged that the same method had been used earlier also for electoral gains. Malviya also said that Jahangir Khan, which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is defending, is part of the same political model.
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Tape also near the name of CPM candidate
It was also seen in the video that not only BJP, but also the name of CPM candidate was taped near it. However, no official statement has yet come out from CPM on this matter. This has deepened the controversy, because now the question has become not only about the influence of votes of one party, but about the credibility of the entire electoral process.
Election Commission ordered repoll
Considering the matter as serious, State Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Aggarwal has ordered repoll at the affected booths. He said that if more similar complaints come to light, then re-polling can be conducted in the entire assembly constituency. This statement reflects the seriousness of the Election Commission and indicates that compromise with the voting process will not be accepted at any level.
The situation is currently calm amid tension
Despite political allegations and counter-allegations and confrontation between IPS officers Ajay Pal Sharma and Jahangir Khan, the situation in Falta is currently said to be calm. Jahangir Khan is keeping an eye on the situation by staying inside the party office and has not come out yet. Local administration and central forces are also on alert in the entire area so that the voting process remains peaceful.
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