Malda: Amit Malviya, the IT Cell chief of the Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP), has made allegations against the Trinamool Congress (TMC), claiming that they tampered with the ‘Ballot Box’ in the Malda district of West Bengal.
In a tweet, Amit Malviya stated, “TMC changed ‘Ballot Box’ operation caught in Malda.” He went on to claim that TMC workers were caught red-handed, changing ballot boxes at multiple locations with the assistance of contractors and local administration, before they could be securely stored in the strong rooms.
Amit Malviya also mentioned that BJP MP Khagen Murmu, along with a local MLA and Zilla Parishad (ZP) candidate, caught the culprits in the act in Gajol, Malda. He further alleged similar incidents across Purba and Paschim Medinipur. Malviya criticised the State Election Commission (SEC), accusing it of colluding with Mamata Banerjee, and asserting that these elections have become a mockery.
In another incident, three ballot boxes were discovered in a drain in Murshidabad, where violence erupted following the panchayat elections. Earlier in the day, BJP MP Khagen Murmu had alleged ballot rigging in the West Bengal Panchayat polls and demanded re-polling in Malda.
The three-tier panchayat elections, conducted in 20 districts, were marred by widespread violence, ballot paper theft, and rigging. Booth capturing, destruction of ballot boxes, and assaults on presiding officers were reported in various districts, including Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, Malda, South 24 Parganas, North Dinajpur, and Nadia.
Polling took place on Saturday at 7 a.m. under tight security measures, with 5.67 crore people in West Bengal’s rural areas deciding the fate of approximately 2.06 lakh candidates vying for 73,887 seats. The counting of votes is scheduled for July 11.
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