BJP's Amit Malviya alleges TMC malpractice in Falta, demands repoll
Synopsis
BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya has alleged that TMC operatives physically blocked BJP voting options with tape inside polling booths in Falta, Diamond Harbour — and invoked the so-called 'Diamond Harbour Model' to argue this is a repeat of the electoral strategy that secured Abhishek Banerjee's Lok Sabha seat. A repoll demand has been made with alleged video evidence.
Key Takeaways
Amit Malviya , BJP IT Cell chief, alleged TMC electoral malpractice at polling booths in Falta, Diamond Harbour on 29 April .
He claimed BJP voting options were physically blocked using tape inside affected booths, preventing voter choice.
Specifically named booths: Falta 144 Part 170, Room No.
2 – Harindanga High School and Booth 189 .
Malviya invoked the 'Diamond Harbour Model' , linking the alleged malpractice to Abhishek Banerjee's past Lok Sabha win.
BJP demanded an immediate repoll in all affected booths; alleged video footage was shared publicly.
Vote counting for the West Bengal Assembly elections is scheduled for 4 May .
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell chief and party co-incharge for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, on Wednesday, 29 April, alleged that the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) is indulging in electoral malpractices at multiple polling booths in Falta, Diamond Harbour, South 24 Parganas, during the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Malviya demanded an immediate repoll in all affected booths and shared alleged video footage as evidence.
What Malviya Alleged
Posting on X, Malviya claimed that BJP voting options had been physically obstructed inside polling booths using tape, effectively preventing voters from casting their ballots for the party. He specifically named Falta 144 Part 170, Room No. 2 – Harindanga High School and Booth 189 as among the compromised locations, stating that several others were similarly affected.
According to Malviya, the alleged malpractice is linked to Jehangir Khan, a TMC candidate contesting from Falta constituency, whom he described as a criminal. He alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had publicly defended Khan, and that this context explained the reported ground-level irregularities.
The 'Diamond Harbour Model' Claim
Malviya invoked what he termed the 'Diamond Harbour Model' — a phrase he used to characterise alleged systematic electoral manipulation in the constituency. He claimed this was the same template that reportedly helped Abhishek Banerjee, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew, secure his Lok Sabha seat from Diamond Harbour. The BJP leader alleged that the model is now being replicated in the Assembly polls across multiple booths in the area.
Repoll Demand and Evidence
Malviya formally demanded an immediate repoll in all affected booths in Falta. He stated that details of the compromised booths, along with what he described as video evidence, had been shared publicly. The BJP has not yet confirmed whether a formal complaint has been filed with the Election Commission of India (ECI), but the public demand underscores the party's intent to escalate the matter.
Election Context and Security Deployment
The second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections covers 142 constituencies across six districts, including Kolkata. Among the high-profile contests is the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in south Kolkata, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faces BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.
The phase is being conducted under unprecedented security cover, with 2,407 companies of central forces deployed — comprising Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), the India Reserve Battalion, and armed police personnel from other states, in addition to West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police. Vote counting is scheduled for 4 May.
The allegations, if substantiated, could intensify scrutiny of the Election Commission's oversight of the polling process in South 24 Parganas ahead of the final count.
Point of View
Particularly after Abhishek Banerjee's commanding Lok Sabha victory. What is notable here is the specificity: named booths, alleged video evidence, and a public repoll demand before counting day. If the Election Commission does not respond visibly, it risks being drawn into a narrative of selective enforcement. The broader question is whether central force deployment at 2,407 companies — unprecedented by any measure — proved sufficient on the ground, or whether booth-level manipulation can still occur beneath that security umbrella.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Amit Malviya allege about the West Bengal elections?
BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya alleged that TMC workers used tape to block the BJP voting option inside polling booths in Falta, Diamond Harbour, during the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on 29 April. He shared alleged video footage and demanded an immediate repoll in all affected booths.
What is the 'Diamond Harbour Model' referred to by BJP?
The 'Diamond Harbour Model' is a term used by BJP's Amit Malviya to describe what he alleges is a systematic pattern of electoral manipulation in Diamond Harbour constituency. He claimed the same template helped TMC's Abhishek Banerjee win his Lok Sabha seat from the area.
Which booths has BJP specifically identified as compromised?
Malviya specifically named Falta 144 Part 170, Room No. 2 at Harindanga High School and Booth 189 as among the affected locations, stating that several other booths in Falta were similarly compromised.
When is vote counting scheduled for the West Bengal Assembly elections?
Vote counting for the West Bengal Assembly elections is scheduled for 4 May. The second and final phase of polling covered 142 constituencies across six districts including Kolkata.
How many central forces were deployed for the second phase of polling?
A total of 2,407 companies of central forces were deployed for the second phase, including Central Armed Police Forces, the India Reserve Battalion, and armed police personnel from other states, alongside West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police.
