He lives
Updated on: May 01, 2026 6:57:14 AM IST
Elections 2026 live: Tensions rose in Kolkata after the TMC alleged that polls were opened without party representatives, and staged a protest outside Netaji Indoor Stadium. The EC denied the allegations, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inspected the Bhabanipur powerhouse, citing reports of possible tampering in the EVM system.
- 8 minutes agoSuvendu says he has ensured that Mamata refrains from taking any undue advantage
- 11 minutes agoWest Bengal Exit Poll 2026 Live: Calcutta HC rejects TMC plea against ECI order on deployment of central staff on vote counting day
- 26 minutes agoMamata vows to ‘fight to the death’ to protect EVMs
- 42 minutes agoWest Bengal elections 2026 live: Tensions rise in Kolkata over protection of electronic voting machines
Elections 2026 Live: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is contesting the 2026 Assembly elections from Bhabanipur seat against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.
2026 elections directly: Political tensions rose in Kolkata a day after the conclusion of the second and final phase of universal polls, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) claiming that polls were opened without the presence of accredited party representatives. The allegations sparked protests, with party leaders staging a dharna outside the Netaji Indoor Stadium.
…Read more
Election Commission officials rejected the allegations, while BJP leaders accused the ruling party of spreading misinformation. The TMC later canceled its protest at the place.
In a major political escalation, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the strong chamber in Bhabanipur late on Thursday night, assuring that her party would resist any attempt to tamper with electronic voting machines (EVMs). Banerjee, who is contesting from the constituency against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, said she acted after receiving reports of alleged irregularities across the state.
“Our agent was arrested; there was a lot of bias. Even then, if someone tries to steal the EVM machine, if someone tries to steal the count, we will fight life and death together,” Mamata said.
Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari posted on X that he had deployed a polling agent in the strong room in Kolkata where Mamata Banerjee was present last night to ensure that she was kept under strict surveillance. He shared CCTV footage of Banerjee and the BJP poll agent inside the strong room and wrote: “As long as she was present at the strong room headquarters, my election agent, advocate Suryanil Das, was there personally and keeping her under strict surveillance so that she cannot resort to any dishonest means.”
BJP forms government in Bengal, according to Chanakya exit poll forecast
For West Bengal, Chanakya predicted a landslide victory for the opposition BJP, bagging 192-203 seats. The current Congress-led Trinamool alliance is expected to get 100-111 seats, while others may get 2-4 seats.
Other pollsters, including Peoples Pulse, Matrize and P-Marq, have predicted that the BJP is likely to give a tough fight to the TMC in the elections. However, Axis My India did not release its forecast due to lack of adequate feedback from voters after two phases of voting.
Outlook in other states?
The DMK-led alliance is expected to register a comfortable win in Tamil Nadu, as predicted by a majority of exit polls including Chanakya. The pollster also expected the BJP-led NDA to win in Assam and the Congress-led United Democratic Front to win in Kerala, with the LDF narrowly trailing. Exit polls for the 30-seat Puducherry Assembly show a clear lead for the NDA, with most agencies forecasting it in the lead, often approaching or exceeding the halfway mark.
Results of the House of Representatives elections on May 4
The Election Commission of India held polling in Assam and Kerala on April 9, while West Bengal and Tamil Nadu voted on April 23, with the second phase taking place in Bengal on April 29.
The poll body will announce the results of the four state assemblies, in addition to Puducherry, on May 4.
Follow all updates here:
May 01, 2026 6:57:13 AM
Est
West Bengal exit poll 2026 live: Suvendu says he has ensured Mamata refrains from taking any undue advantage
West Bengal exit poll 2026 live: Suvendu Adhikari said in a post on X that he has deployed a polling agent in the strong room in Kolkata where Mamata Banerjee was present last night to keep her under strict surveillance. He also shared CCTV footage showing Banerjee with the BJP poll agent inside the building, saying, “As long as she was present at the strong room headquarters, my election agent, advocate Suryanil Das, was there personally and keeping her under strict surveillance so that she cannot resort to any dishonest means.”
May 01, 2026 6:54:00 AM
Est
West Bengal Exit Poll 2026 Live: Calcutta HC rejects TMC plea against ECI order on deployment of central staff on vote counting day
West Bengal Elections 2026 Live: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition by TMC challenging the Election Commission of India’s directions to deploy central government and PSU employees to count votes in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
The court upheld the validity of the decision requiring the Central Government/PSU employees to be counted as supervisors/assistants and the writ petition was dismissed.
The HC, in its observations, held that such appointments were within ECI’s discretion and were not illegal. The court rejected the arrest of the central government. Employees will work under political influence. The allegations were merely fears without evidence. (that I)
May 01, 2026 6:39:04 AM
Est
West Bengal elections 2026 live: Mamata vows to ‘fight to the death’ to protect EVMs
West Bengal Elections 2026 Live: Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, after coming out of the strong room in Kolkata, spoke to reporters and explained what happened inside. She said: “I came here because there is a strong room here for electronic voting machines. We found tampering in many places, so when I saw it on TV, I thought I should visit. I came, but the central forces restrained me. They told me I had the right to go. According to election rules, candidates are allowed to leave the locked room. Then I was allowed… If there is tampering, we will fight..”.
May 01, 2026 6:23:40 AM
Est
West Bengal elections 2026 live: Tensions rise in Kolkata over protection of electronic voting machines
West Bengal Elections 2026 Live: The drama unfolded in Kolkata last night with just two days left for the counting of Assembly polls, as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the Bhabanipur powerhouse late on Thursday night and said her party would block all attempts, if made, to tamper with electronic voting machines.
Mamata visited the Bhabanipur powerhouse. The TMC supremo here faces BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.
Alleging that her party had received reports of tampering with electronic voting machines in many parts of the state, Banerjee said, “There is a strong room here for electronic voting machines. We have found that tampering is happening in many places. When I saw the CCTV cameras on TV, Wen, I thought I should also go and see her. At first, the central forces did not allow me to enter. But according to our electoral rules, the candidate and election agent of any party are allowed to enter the closed room.”
Confirming that TMC is facing a biased attitude from the Election Commission of India, CM Banerjee said, “Our agent was arrested; there was a lot of bias. Even then, if someone tries to steal the EVM machine, if someone tries to steal the counting process, we will fight life and death together.” (that I)
India News Election News 2026 Live: Allegations of Voter Tampering in Bengal; Mamata vows to ‘fight to the death’ to protect EVMs
