Bengal polls: Abhishek Banerjee alleges voter death in Howrah after central forces assault
Synopsis
On the final day of West Bengal Assembly polling, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee alleged that an elderly voter died after being manhandled by central forces in Howrah's Udaynarayanpur — invoking the deadly Sitalkuchi incident of 2021 and threatening legal consequences for those involved. The unverified claim has sharply raised the political temperature ahead of the 4 May count.
Key Takeaways
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee alleged on 29 April that an elderly man died after central forces personnel assaulted him at a polling booth in Udaynarayanpur, Howrah .
The man was reportedly rushed to Amta Hospital and declared dead on arrival, according to Banerjee's post on X.
Banerjee accused Home Minister Amit Shah of misusing central forces as "BJP's private army" during the West Bengal polls.
Around 90% polling was recorded till 5 pm across 142 constituencies in six districts and Kolkata in the second and final phase.
The first phase was held on 23 April ; vote counting is scheduled for 4 May .
The allegations have not been independently verified; no response from central forces or the ECI was available at the time of publication.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday, 29 April alleged that an elderly man died after being assaulted by central forces personnel in Udaynarayanpur, Howrah district, during the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. The allegation, posted on social media platform X, has sharply escalated political tensions on polling day.
What Abhishek Banerjee Alleged
According to Banerjee, the elderly man had gone to cast his vote accompanied by his son. He alleged that because the man was too frail to walk unaided, his son attempted to assist him into the polling booth, at which point central forces personnel reportedly pushed and manhandled both of them. "The old man collapsed, was rushed to Amta Hospital and was declared dead on arrival," Banerjee said in his post.
The TMC leader further alleged that since dawn, central forces had been "terrorising ordinary citizens — slapping women, assaulting the elderly, attacking even children." These claims have not been independently verified, and NationPress has not received a response from the central forces or the Election Commission of India (ECI) at the time of publication.
Sharp Attack on BJP and Home Minister
Banerjee launched a direct attack on Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that central forces deployed under his authority had become, in his words, "BJP's private army — a gang of licensed thugs unleashed on the people of Bengal." He drew a pointed comparison to the Sitalkuchi incident of 2021, when CISF firing during Assembly polls resulted in deaths and became a major flashpoint.
"BJP paid a heavy price for the blood of innocents in 2021. They will pay an even heavier price in 2026," Banerjee said, issuing what amounted to a political warning ahead of the vote count.
Polling Day Snapshot
Around 90 per cent polling was recorded till 5 pm across 142 constituencies in six districts, along with Kolkata, which went to polls in the second and final phase. The first phase of the elections had been held on 23 April. Counting of votes is scheduled for 4 May.
Context and What Comes Next
The allegation fits a recurring pattern in West Bengal elections, where both the TMC and the BJP have repeatedly accused each other of poll violence and misuse of state or central machinery. The 2021 Assembly elections were similarly marred by widespread violence allegations, with post-poll clashes drawing national attention and Supreme Court scrutiny.
With vote counting set for 4 May, the alleged incident is likely to fuel further political and legal escalation. Whether the ECI or central forces issue a formal response to Banerjee's claims will be closely watched in the coming hours.
Point of View
Not rhetorical noise. In 2021, that incident handed TMC a sympathy narrative that held through the count. Whether or not the Udaynarayanpur claim is substantiated, the political deployment of it on polling day itself — before any investigation is possible — signals that TMC is already shaping the post-election accountability story. The ECI's silence, if prolonged, will only deepen the credibility deficit that central institutions face in West Bengal. The real test is whether any independent inquiry follows, or whether this becomes another unresolved allegation in Bengal's long ledger of poll violence.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Abhishek Banerjee allege about central forces in West Bengal?
Abhishek Banerjee alleged that central forces personnel assaulted an elderly voter and his son at a polling booth in Udaynarayanpur, Howrah, on 29 April, and that the elderly man was subsequently declared dead on arrival at Amta Hospital. He also alleged that central forces had been terrorising voters across booths since dawn on polling day.
Has the death of the elderly voter been officially confirmed?
As of the time of publication, the claim has not been independently verified, and no official confirmation or denial has been issued by central forces or the Election Commission of India. The allegation originates solely from Abhishek Banerjee's post on X.
What is the Sitalkuchi incident Banerjee referred to?
The Sitalkuchi incident occurred during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, when CISF personnel opened fire near a polling booth, resulting in deaths. It became a major political flashpoint and was cited by the TMC as evidence of central forces being used against Bengal voters.
When is the West Bengal election result expected?
Counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections is scheduled for 4 May. The second and final phase of polling, covering 142 constituencies across six districts and Kolkata, was held on 29 April, with the first phase on 23 April.
Who is Abhishek Banerjee?
Abhishek Banerjee is a senior Trinamool Congress leader and the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He is also a Member of Parliament and is considered one of the most prominent faces of the TMC's second generation of leadership.
