Kolkata: As the results for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections materialise today, May 4, a major controversy regarding the integrity of the electoral process has surfaced.
Madhuparna Thakur, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate for the Bagda (SC) constituency, has issued sharp allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) manipulation as preliminary data indicates a historic surge for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Thakur, a sitting MLA and an influential voice within the Matua community, expressed profound scepticism over the tabulation figures originating from her district.
"TMC trailing in Muslim-dominated booths is simply not possible," Thakur told reporters at a local counting facility. "This clearly indicates that the EVMs have been hacked. The numbers do not reflect the reality on the ground."
The incumbent currently finds herself trailing behind Soma Thakur of the BJP in Bagda, a constituency that has served as a primary theatre for the two parties' competition over the Matua vote.
Statewide Trends and TMC Response
The accusations of technical interference coincide with rapid statewide gains for the saffron party. According to the latest figures from the Election Commission of India (ECI), the BJP has surpassed the 148-seat "magic figure" required for a majority, maintaining an aggressive lead in over 190 of the state's 294 seats.
The TMC leadership has largely mirrored Thakur's doubts, describing the unfolding trends as "fishy." High-ranking party officials have pointed to a controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls conducted prior to the vote, which the TMC alleges disproportionately affected its core supporters.
BJP's Momentum
Despite the vocal protests from the ruling party, the BJP's momentum remains consistent across both the northern and southern regions of the state. Suvendu Adhikari, a primary strategist for the BJP, attributed the performance to a massive "consolidation" of the electorate and a historic overall voter turnout of 92.47%.
As of mid-afternoon, the BJP appears to be on the precipice of forming its first-ever government in West Bengal, potentially ending the TMC's 15-year tenure. Election officials have maintained that the counting process is being conducted under strict transparency and multi-layered security.