Mamata Banerjee's midnight alert to TMC workers before Bengal counting
Synopsis
Hours before West Bengal Assembly election counting began, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted a post-midnight alert accusing the BJP of orchestrating power cuts and CCTV shutdowns near strong rooms — a dramatic escalation of political tension on the eve of results that will determine whether she retains power and her own Bhabanipur seat against rival Suvendu Adhikari.
Key Takeaways
Mamata Banerjee posted a social media alert after 1 am on 4 May , urging TMC workers to stay awake and guard strong rooms.
She alleged planned power cuts and CCTV shutdowns at multiple locations including Sreerampore , Krishnanagar , Aushgram , and Kolkata .
She directly blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the alleged incidents — claims not independently verified.
On Sunday evening , she briefed TMC counting agents for the Bhabanipur seat, where she faces Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari .
Banerjee reportedly expressed 100% confidence in a TMC victory statewide and in Bhabanipur, even as she cautioned that early counting trends might favour the opposition.
All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a post-midnight message to her party workers in the early hours of Monday, 4 May, urging them to "stay alert" ahead of counting for the West Bengal Assembly elections held in two phases. The message, posted on social media after 1 am, came hours before vote-counting was set to begin across the state.
What Mamata Said
"Stay alert. Be on the guard. Stay awake at night. Register complaints," Banerjee wrote in her social media post. She alleged that her party leadership had been receiving reports of planned power cuts at several locations across West Bengal, specifically naming Sreerampore in Hooghly district, Krishnanagar in Nadia, Aushgram in Burdwan, and Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata as places where load-shedding was reportedly being carried out in phases.
Allegations Against BJP
Banerjee further alleged that CCTVs were being switched off and that vehicles were moving near strong rooms. "I appeal to my party workers that just as I am keeping a watchful eye on all matters, you too should stay awake at night to guard the people's votes in the strong room. If anyone creates a suspicious situation anywhere, surround them, immediately complain and demand CCTV footage," her statement read. She directly attributed the alleged incidents to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating, "All this is being done at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party."
Notably, the BJP has not yet responded publicly to these specific allegations. The claims, which have not been independently verified, reflect the heightened political tension in the state ahead of results.
Bhabanipur Briefing and Confidence on Counting Day
On Sunday evening, Banerjee held a closed-door meeting with TMC counting agents for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, where she is directly contesting against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. Party insiders said she gave last-minute instructions on maintaining vigilance inside the counting room until the final round.
According to a party leader present at the meeting, Banerjee expressed full confidence in her party's prospects. "The Chief Minister said that the victory of Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and her victory from Bhabanipur were 100 per cent assured this time. She also said that, although in the initial rounds of counting, a trend might emerge that the opposition is leading — but ultimately, Trinamool Congress will win," the leader said.
High-Stakes Contest in West Bengal
The West Bengal Assembly elections were conducted in two phases, and the counting day marks the culmination of one of the most closely watched state contests in recent years. The Bhabanipur seat is particularly high-profile, pitting the incumbent Chief Minister directly against the state's Leader of Opposition in what both sides have framed as a prestige battle. This is not the first time allegations of pre-counting irregularities have surfaced in West Bengal; similar claims have been raised in previous election cycles, underscoring the state's deeply adversarial political climate.
With results expected to trickle in through the day, the coming hours will determine whether Banerjee's midnight confidence translates into seats on the ground.
Point of View
Part pre-emptive narrative management. By seeding allegations of power cuts and CCTV tampering before a single vote is counted, she ensures that any unfavourable early trend can be framed as interference rather than verdict. The Bhabanipur briefing adds another layer: a Chief Minister who publicly projects certainty while privately drilling her agents on last-minute vigilance is not entirely confident. The BJP's silence on these specific allegations is notable, but so is the absence of any Election Commission response — an institution whose credibility in West Bengal has been tested repeatedly across electoral cycles.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mamata Banerjee say in her midnight message before West Bengal counting?
Mamata Banerjee urged TMC workers to stay awake, remain alert near strong rooms, and register complaints immediately if they spotted suspicious activity. She alleged that power cuts and CCTV shutdowns were being carried out at multiple locations in West Bengal ahead of counting, attributing these acts to the BJP.
Where were power cuts allegedly reported before West Bengal counting?
According to Banerjee's social media post, load-shedding was reportedly carried out in phases at Sreerampore in Hooghly, Krishnanagar in Nadia, Aushgram in Burdwan, and Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata. These claims have not been independently verified.
Who is Mamata Banerjee contesting against in Bhabanipur?
Mamata Banerjee is contesting the Bhabanipur Assembly seat against Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. The contest is considered one of the most high-profile battles of the two-phase election.
What instructions did Mamata give her counting agents at the Bhabanipur meeting?
According to party insiders, Banerjee gave last-minute instructions on maintaining vigilance inside the counting hall until the final round. She reportedly told agents that a TMC victory was '100 per cent assured', while cautioning that early counting trends might show the opposition leading before TMC ultimately prevailed.
Has the BJP responded to Mamata Banerjee's allegations of tampering near strong rooms?
As of the time of reporting, the BJP had not publicly responded to Banerjee's specific allegations regarding power cuts and CCTV shutdowns near strong rooms ahead of West Bengal Assembly election counting.
