Bengal Poll Row: CEO Rebuts Mamata’s EVM Charges
Election officer cites no evidence or FIR as BJP’s decisive win fuels political standoff
- Manoj Kumar Agarwal rejects EVM allegations
- Mamata Banerjee claims “moral victory,” refuses to resign
- CEO says no FIR or complaint over alleged assault
- BJP wins 207 seats; TMC reduced to 80
GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 6th May: West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal on Tuesday firmly rejected allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) manipulation made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stating that no specific evidence or formal complaint has been submitted.
Responding to the charges, Agarwal said that vague claims without details such as specific machines, counting tables or constituencies cannot be investigated. He emphasised that the election process follows strict protocols and transparency.
On Banerjee’s allegation of being physically manhandled at a counting centre, the CEO said CCTV footage and internal reports showed no such incident. He confirmed that surveillance systems remained functional throughout.
“No complaint was received, no FIR was lodged. Nothing like that happened,” he said.
Clarifying his role, Agarwal stated that the counting process is conducted by the Returning Officer under the supervision of the District Election Officer, and not directly by the CEO.
He also assured that full preparations are in place for the repoll in Falta, adding that irregular practices such as tampering attempts would be prevented.
Meanwhile, Banerjee maintained that she would not resign, claiming that her party had not truly lost and alleging that the outcome was influenced. She accused the Election Commission and the BJP of wrongdoing and described the verdict as “immoral.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party secured a decisive victory with 207 seats, while the Trinamool Congress was reduced to 80 seats, marking a major political shift in the state.
