Is Diamond Harbour’s 7 Lakh Margin an Electoral Anomaly or Organized Fraud?
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Synopsis
The BJP has labeled the Trinamool Congress' over seven lakh vote margin in Diamond Harbour as a concerning reflection of electoral integrity. This article explores the allegations of organized fraud and the implications for West Bengal's political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections.
Key Takeaways
- Major victory margins can raise questions about electoral integrity.
- The BJP claims that systematic fraud influenced the outcome.
- Calls for electoral reform are growing in West Bengal.
- Implications for the 2026 Assembly elections are significant.
- Transparency in the electoral process is vital for democracy.
Kolkata, Oct 19 (NationPress) The Trinamool Congress’s extraordinary victory margin of over seven lakh votes in the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency of South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, during the 2024 elections is seen by the BJP as a serious indictment of the state’s electoral integrity. This assertion was made on Sunday by the BJP.
In the previous Lok Sabha elections, Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee secured his second consecutive term from Diamond Harbour, defeating the BJP’s Abhijit Das, popularly known as Bobby, with a staggering margin of 7,10,930 votes.
Amit Malviya, who leads the BJP’s Information Technology Cell and serves as the party’s central observer for West Bengal, took to social media to assert that this record margin is indicative of organized electoral misconduct.
In support of his claim, Malviya referenced a recent interview on a television channel featuring Swapan Mandal, General Secretary of the BLO Aikya Manch, which represents booth-level officers (BLOs) in West Bengal.
“The victory margin of Abhishek Banerjee is a serious indictment of the electoral process in West Bengal. Testimony from former Presiding Officer Swapan Mandal suggests that this record was artificially inflated through systematic electoral fraud, showcasing the TMC’s blatant disregard for democracy,” Malviya stated, quoting Mandal’s revelations about alleged election irregularities in Diamond Harbour during the 2024 elections.
Malviya highlighted various claims made by Mandal, including hindering genuine voters from casting their votes, covering EVM buttons for other candidates with black tape, allowing access only to the Trinamool Congress button, and voting in the names of deceased and absent individuals.
He further asserted that the Diamond Harbour model from 2024 explains why Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, has been vocally opposing the Election Commission of India’s Special Incentive Revision (SIR).
“Swapan Mandal has indicated that widespread irregularities involving deceased, absent, and potentially unlawful voters are artificially boosting the TMC’s numbers. A clean voter list through SIR would dismantle the very foundation of the TMC’s fraudulent mandate. She relies on this corrupted ecosystem to persist. The Diamond Harbour incident is not an isolated case — it serves as a template for the TMC’s strategy to dominate the 2026 elections,” Malviya emphasized.
He concluded that the first essential step to avert similar electoral malpractices in the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls is to facilitate a comprehensive and transparent SIR to restore the authentic mandate of the people of Bengal.
Point of View
It is crucial to approach the unfolding political narrative in West Bengal with impartiality. The allegations raised by the BJP regarding the electoral process highlight a significant concern for democratic integrity that must be thoroughly examined, regardless of political affiliations. The discourse surrounding the elections should focus on transparency and accountability to uphold the principles of democracy.
NationPress
19/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the allegations against the Trinamool Congress regarding the Diamond Harbour election?
The BJP alleges that the Trinamool Congress engaged in organized electoral fraud, including preventing genuine voters from voting and manipulating voting machines to favor their candidates.
Who is Abhishek Banerjee?
Abhishek Banerjee is the General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress and was re-elected from the Diamond Harbour constituency in the 2024 elections.
What is the significance of the Special Incentive Revision (SIR)?
The SIR is a measure proposed by the Election Commission of India aimed at creating a clean voter list, which could potentially disrupt the Trinamool Congress's electoral strategy.
How does this situation impact future elections in West Bengal?
The allegations and the current political climate may influence voter trust and participation in future elections, especially the upcoming 2026 Assembly polls.
What is the BJP's proposed solution to the alleged electoral malpractices?
The BJP calls for a thorough and transparent SIR to ensure the legitimacy of the voter list and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
