TMC's Bandyopadhyay slams ECI, backs Mamata to cross 250 seats in Bengal
Synopsis
TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay called the ECI the most 'brutal' he has seen in six election cycles, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited South Kolkata booths and accused the CRPF of assaulting party workers. With 142 constituencies voting in Phase 2, TMC is projecting a 250-plus seat sweep even as BJP alleges rigging — making this one of the most contested polling days in recent Bengal history.
Key Takeaways
TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay called the ECI the most "brutal" he has witnessed across his six elections from Kolkata.
Bandyopadhyay predicted Mamata Banerjee would cross 250 seats despite tensions in 8-10 constituencies .
Two lakh security forces were deployed across 294 constituencies for the election.
Phase 2 polling covered 142 constituencies with CAPF deployment and CCTV surveillance.
CM Mamata Banerjee alleged a TMC worker was beaten up and accused the BJP of attempting to "forcefully rig" the elections.
Banerjee referred to the CRPF as "gunda" before quickly retracting the remark.
All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Sudip Bandyopadhyay on Wednesday, 29 April launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), calling it the most "brutal" he had ever witnessed, even as he expressed full confidence that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would return to power with a commanding majority in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Bandyopadhyay's Attack on the ECI
Speaking to reporters on polling day, the six-time Kolkata MP did not mince words. "I have been elected six times from Kolkata. I have never seen in my life such a brutal Election Commission," Bandyopadhyay said. He acknowledged that tensions had been reported in 8 to 10 constituencies out of 294, even with two lakh security forces deployed across the state, but insisted the overall mandate would favour Trinamool. "Still, Mamata will score crossing 250," he added.
Bandyopadhyay also made a pointed political remark, saying the party would "not let Bengal be captured by Gujarati" — a reference widely understood as directed at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leadership.
Mamata Banerjee's Allegations on the Ground
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself visited multiple polling booths in South Kolkata during the day. Speaking to reporters, she alleged that a TMC worker had been "beaten up" on Tuesday night. She further claimed that the BJP was attempting to "forcefully rig" the elections and accused election observers — whom she described as being brought from outside — of visiting police stations and "creating pressure" on officials.
In a particularly sharp remark, Banerjee referred to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as "gunda", though she quickly walked back the comment. She accused CRPF personnel of "assaulting" TMC workers and leaders, allegations that the force has not publicly responded to, according to available reports.
Security Arrangements for Phase 2 Polling
The second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections saw voting underway across 142 constituencies. Authorities deployed Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel and installed CCTV cameras at polling stations to ensure smooth conduct. The ECI had put in place enhanced surveillance measures amid the politically charged atmosphere in the state.
The Broader Political Battle
The allegations and counter-allegations reflect the intensity of what is widely seen as a high-stakes contest between the ruling TMC and the BJP, which has made West Bengal a priority state. This comes amid a pattern of electoral tensions that have marked previous Bengal polls as well, with both sides trading accusations of violence and administrative bias. Notably, the deployment of central forces itself has been a flashpoint, with the TMC historically opposing such arrangements while the BJP and the ECI have defended them as essential for free and fair polling.
With voting ongoing and both sides projecting confidence, the final verdict will test whether TMC's organisational strength on the ground can translate into the 250-plus seat majority that Bandyopadhyay has publicly staked his credibility on.
Point of View
With central forces on the ground, raises the political temperature considerably. The TMC's dual strategy of projecting electoral confidence while simultaneously delegitimising the oversight mechanism is a calculated move: if they win big, the ECI criticism becomes a footnote; if they fall short, it becomes the ready-made narrative. What is harder to ignore is that Mamata Banerjee's own remarks — calling the CRPF 'gunda' before retracting — reflect either genuine frustration or deliberate signalling to the party base. Either way, the conduct of leaders during active polling hours, rather than the ECI's deployment decisions, may be the more consequential accountability question here.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sudip Bandyopadhyay say about the Election Commission of India?
TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay said he had "never seen in his life such a brutal Election Commission," making the remarks on polling day during Phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly elections. He has been elected six times from Kolkata and framed this as his strongest criticism of the ECI across his political career.
How many seats did TMC predict it would win in West Bengal?
Bandyopadhyay publicly predicted that Mamata Banerjee would cross 250 seats in the West Bengal Assembly, which has 294 constituencies in total. He expressed this confidence even while acknowledging tensions in 8 to 10 constituencies.
What allegations did Mamata Banerjee make on polling day?
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that a TMC worker was beaten up on Tuesday night, accused the BJP of attempting to forcefully rig the elections, and claimed that election observers were pressuring police stations. She also briefly called the CRPF 'gunda' before retracting the remark.
How many constituencies were covered in Phase 2 of the West Bengal elections?
Phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly elections covered 142 constituencies, with Central Armed Police Forces deployed and CCTV cameras installed at polling stations to ensure security.
What is the significance of the TMC-BJP contest in West Bengal?
West Bengal has become a key battleground between the ruling TMC and the BJP, which has prioritised the state as part of its national expansion strategy. The high-stakes contest has been marked by allegations of violence and administrative bias from both sides, continuing a pattern seen in previous Bengal elections.
