West Bengal Phase-2 polls: BJP confident of power shift, flags EVM tape row
Synopsis
As West Bengal's Phase-2 polling unfolded, the BJP projected a confident wave narrative — but the day's defining moment may be Suvendu Adhikari's allegation that a BJP candidate's EVM button was taped over in Falta, a complaint he escalated directly to Home Minister Amit Shah and the Election Commission.
Key Takeaways
BJP leaders Rahul Sinha and Sanjay Upadhyay expressed strong confidence in a government change in West Bengal during Phase-2 polling on 29 April .
Suvendu Adhikari visited the Mitra Institution booth in Bhabanipur , where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting, and claimed confidence of a lead.
Adhikari alleged an EVM button for the BJP candidate was covered with tape at a booth in Falta, South 24 Parganas .
The matter was reportedly escalated to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP IT chief Amit Malviya , who flagged it to the ECI .
The ECI has reportedly promised to take action on the complaint, per Adhikari's statement.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Wednesday, 29 April expressed strong confidence in a political shift in West Bengal as voting progressed in the second phase of the state Assembly elections, crediting voters for driving what they described as an organic wave of change against the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).
BJP Leaders Bullish on Voter Turnout
BJP leader Rahul Sinha, speaking to reporters, said the TMC had attempted to suppress voter participation through pressure and intimidation, but that the public had not been deterred. "Change is taking place this time, and the people themselves are bringing this change. The Trinamool Congress tried very hard through pressure, intimidation, and creating an atmosphere of fear to stop the public, but the people were not stopped," Sinha said.
He also extended thanks to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and central security forces deployed across the state, noting that many observers had raised concerns about the role of the Bengal Police and Kolkata Police in ensuring fair polling. BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay echoed the bullish outlook, asserting, "There will be record voting in the second phase in West Bengal as well… I have full faith that the people of Bengal are with the BJP, and there will be a change in government."
Suvendu Adhikari Visits Bhabanipur, Eyes Lead Over Mamata
Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, made a high-profile visit to the Mitra Institution polling booth in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata — the seat where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting. Adhikari interacted with voters and expressed confidence of securing a lead from the booth, pointing to peaceful polling conditions at the time of his visit.
Bhabanipur is among the most closely watched constituencies in this election cycle, given its direct bearing on the political future of Mamata Banerjee and the TMC government's continuity in office.
EVM Tape Allegation Triggers Central-Level Escalation
The day took a sharper turn when Adhikari alleged that the button for the BJP candidate on an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at a polling booth in Falta, South 24 Parganas district, had been covered with tape — a claim that, if verified, would constitute a serious electoral irregularity.
Adhikari said he reported the matter directly to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who called him during the day. "The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, called me up today, and I reported the matter to him. Our party's central observer for West Bengal and the party's Information Technology Chief, Amit Malviya, has sought to bring the matter to the notice of the Election Commission of India (ECI), which has promised to take action in the matter," Adhikari said.
The ECI has reportedly acknowledged the complaint and promised action, though no official statement had been issued at the time of reporting.
High-Stakes Battle in a Pivotal State
The West Bengal Assembly elections represent one of the most consequential electoral contests in India this cycle, with the BJP mounting a sustained challenge to the TMC's grip on power in a state it has governed since 2011. High voter turnout in the second phase is being closely tracked as a barometer of public sentiment, with both sides reading the numbers in their favour.
This comes amid a broader national context in which the BJP has sought to expand its footprint in eastern India, and the TMC under Mamata Banerjee has positioned itself as the primary bulwark against that advance. How the remaining phases unfold — and whether the EVM allegation gains traction with the ECI — will be critical to the final outcome.
Point of View
But the EVM tape allegation is harder to dismiss as routine. If verified, it would represent a serious procedural failure — and the fact that it was escalated to the Home Minister rather than handled locally signals that the BJP is treating this as a political pressure point, not just an administrative complaint. The ECI's response will be telling. West Bengal has a long history of poll-related allegations from multiple sides, and the credibility of this election — particularly in Bhabanipur — will hinge on how swiftly and transparently the Commission acts on such complaints.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening in the West Bengal Assembly election Phase-2?
Voting for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections took place on 29 April, with high voter turnout being monitored as a key indicator of electoral mood. The BJP expressed confidence in a political shift, while the TMC remained the incumbent party seeking re-election.
What is the EVM tape allegation raised by Suvendu Adhikari?
Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the EVM button assigned to the BJP candidate at a polling booth in Falta, South 24 Parganas, was covered with tape — a claim that would constitute a serious electoral irregularity. He reported the matter to Home Minister Amit Shah and the Election Commission of India, which reportedly promised to take action.
Why is the Bhabanipur constituency significant in this election?
Bhabanipur in South Kolkata is where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting, making it one of the most high-profile seats of the election. A loss there would have direct implications for her continuation as Chief Minister, making it the focal point of national political attention.
Who is Suvendu Adhikari?
Suvendu Adhikari is the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and a senior BJP leader. He is a former TMC minister who switched to the BJP and has since become the party's most prominent face in the state.
What has the Election Commission said about the EVM allegation?
According to Suvendu Adhikari's statement, the Election Commission of India has promised to take action on the complaint regarding the alleged taping of an EVM button in Falta. No independent official statement from the ECI had been issued at the time of reporting.
