Diamond Harbour model: BJP alleges TMC blocked ’lotus’ symbol on EVMs, poll body reacts

Mangalore Today News Network

Kolkata, Apr 29, 2026: As voting is underway for the second phase of the West Bengal assembly polls, the BJP has alleged that the option to vote for the “lotus" symbol has been blocked with tape at several polling booths in the Falta seat of Diamond Harbour.

BJP’s West Bengal co-incharge Amit Malviya has accused Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress of preventing voters from exercising their choice.

The BJP demanded an immediate repoll in all affected booths in Falta where such incidents have occurred.

Malviya alleged the TMC had replicated this strategy previously to help Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee win the Lok Sabha election from the Diamond Harbour seat.

Poll Body To Probe Claim

The West Bengal Election Commissioner said reports of button-tampering will be thoroughly verified, adding that if found to be true, the affected booths will undergo repolling.

Falta Assembly Seat

TMC has fielded Jahangir Khan against BJP’s Debangshu Panda in Falta seat of South 24 Parganas. Sambhu Nath Kurmi from the Left Front and Congress candidate Abdur Razzak Molla are also in the fray.

During the poll campaign, the seat made headlines over of a face-off between Jahangir Khan and the ECI-appointed police observer, IPS Ajay Pal Sharma. Khan reportedly told the media, “If he is Singham, I am also Pushpa," after the officer conducted raids to prevent voter intimidation.