Mamata Banerjee alleges central forces harassed voters in Bengal Phase 2 polls
Synopsis
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, after casting her own vote in Bhabanipur, launched a sharp broadside against the ECI-deployed central forces, alleging they beat voters and selectively targeted TMC workers. With Banerjee herself facing Suvendu Adhikari in one of Bengal's most watched contests, her allegations add a charged political dimension to an already high-stakes second phase covering 142 constituencies.
Key Takeaways
Mamata Banerjee cast her vote at 4.30 pm at Mitra Institution , Bhabanipur , on Wednesday, 29 April .
She alleged central forces deployed by the ECI harassed and beat voters, including women and children, across multiple districts.
Incidents were reportedly cited in Nadia , Hooghly (Arambagh, Khanakul, Goghat), and South 24 Parganas (Canning) districts.
Banerjee attributed part of the problem to a language barrier, as police observers from other states allegedly did not understand Bengali.
Sporadic tension was reported in Bhabanipur ; no casualties or major injuries were officially confirmed.
Banerjee faces Suvendu Adhikari , Leader of the Opposition, in the Bhabanipur constituency.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday cast her vote at approximately 4.30 pm at a polling booth at Mitra Institution under the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in south Kolkata, and alleged that central forces deployed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the second phase of Assembly polls covering 142 constituencies had harassed and beaten innocent voters, including women and children, in the name of ensuring free and fair polling.
Key Allegations by the Chief Minister
Speaking to mediapersons after casting her vote, Banerjee alleged that central forces had "resorted to atrocities" throughout polling day and had deliberately targeted All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, workers, and polling agents under instructions from police observers appointed by the ECI. "Is it really a free and fair poll? I have seen the central forces resorting to so many atrocities on polling day. But despite this, I am confident of Trinamool Congress's victory in the Assembly elections this year," she said.
She further alleged that incidents of voter harassment had been reported from Nadia district, the Arambagh, Khanakul, and Goghat areas of Hooghly district, and the Canning area of South 24 Parganas district. According to her, these incidents had been ongoing since Tuesday night.
Communication Gap Cited as a Factor
Banerjee also pointed to what she described as a structural communication gap, alleging that since the ECI had deployed police observers from other states, none of them understood Bengali. She claimed this had led to misunderstandings on the ground. "Some of these police officers are instructing the central forces to crack down on innocent voters and even some of the Trinamool Congress candidates," she alleged.
Apart from central forces, the Chief Minister also levelled criticism at officers-in-charge of certain police stations under both Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police, though she did not name specific individuals.
Ground Situation in Bhabanipur
There were reports of sporadic tension in Bhabanipur through Wednesday, though no casualties or major injuries were officially reported. At certain points, central forces personnel reportedly resorted to baton charges to disperse agitated crowds. The situation remained tense but contained, according to available reports.
Political Context: Mamata vs Adhikari
Banerjee is contesting the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency as the sitting Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and TMC candidate. Her principal opponent in this constituency is Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The Bhabanipur seat is widely regarded as one of the most closely watched contests of this election cycle, given the stature of both candidates.
The ECI has not yet issued an official response to Banerjee's allegations, and independent verification of the specific incidents she cited was not immediately available. How the Commission responds to the complaints could shape the political narrative in the days ahead.
Point of View
And the TMC has historically resisted that deployment. The language-barrier argument is novel but conveniently difficult to verify. What is harder to dismiss is the pattern: sporadic baton charges and crowd dispersals did occur in Bhabanipur, even if no major injuries were recorded. With Banerjee personally on the ballot against Adhikari, every allegation she makes also functions as campaign messaging. The ECI's silence so far is notable — a prompt, factual response would go further toward protecting the Commission's credibility than any post-poll inquiry.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mamata Banerjee allege about central forces during Bengal Phase 2 polls?
Mamata Banerjee alleged that central forces deployed by the ECI harassed and beat innocent voters, including women and children, and selectively targeted TMC leaders, workers, and polling agents throughout polling day on 29 April. She cited specific incidents in Nadia, Hooghly, and South 24 Parganas districts.
Where did Mamata Banerjee cast her vote in the Bengal Assembly election?
She cast her vote at approximately 4.30 pm at a polling booth at Mitra Institution under the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in south Kolkata. She is the sitting MLA and TMC candidate from that constituency.
Who is Mamata Banerjee's opponent in Bhabanipur?
Mamata Banerjee is pitted against Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, in the Bhabanipur constituency.
Why did Mamata Banerjee cite a language barrier as a factor?
She alleged that police observers deployed by the ECI came from other states and did not understand Bengali, creating a communication gap that she claimed led central forces to act on flawed instructions against voters and TMC candidates.
Were there any casualties reported in Bhabanipur on polling day?
No casualties or major injuries were officially reported. There were sporadic incidents of tension in Bhabanipur, and central forces personnel reportedly resorted to baton charges at certain points to disperse agitated crowds.
