“Never Seen Such Atrocities Since 1984”: Mamata Banerjee Slams Central Forces

Amidst heavy voter turnout in the second phase of the West Bengal elections, Mamata Banerjee leveled serious allegations against the central forces, while the BJP hit back. The war of words between the two leaders has further intensified the electoral atmosphere.

New Delhi: In the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, voting took place across 142 seats on April 29. According to the Election Commission, a voter turnout of approximately 89.99% was recorded by evening—a figure considered to be remarkably high.

Although reports of violence and irregularities emerged from certain areas, the situation remained largely under control thanks to extensive security arrangements.

Mamata Banerjee's Major Allegations

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee leveled serious allegations against the central forces. She stated: The CRPF and central observers are harassing the public. Even women and children have not been spared.

Several TMC workers have been detained. She remarked, "I have been contesting elections since 1984, but I have never witnessed such atrocities as I have this time."

West Bengal Elections Phase 2 records a massive 89.99% voter turnout till 5 PM in the final phase—an impressive show of democratic participation despite challenges.@ECISVEEP @CEOWestBengal #WestBengalElections #Elections2026 #VoterTurnout #Democracy #India pic.twitter.com/07IS4vEXQm

— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) April 29, 2026

Targeting the Central Forces

Mamata Banerjee further asserted that while the primary duty of the central forces is to guard the borders, they are instead acting on behalf of a specific political party.

Citing areas such as Ranaghat, Arambagh, Kalyani, and Canning, she alleged that polling agents were forcibly evicted from the booths in these regions.

BJP's Counter-Attack

Meanwhile, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari dismissed Mamata's allegations, stating: The central forces are working solely to maintain law and order. Disruptions were caused in certain areas by "intruders."

He also claimed that the political atmosphere in the state is shifting and that people are casting their votes freely and without fear.

An Intriguing Scene in Bhabanipur

An interesting moment unfolded during the polling for the Bhabanipur seat when both Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari arrived at the very same polling booth at the exact same time.

Although there was no direct interaction between the two, the incident further intensified the already heated electoral atmosphere.

What Are the Key Issues?

The most prominent issues dominating this election are:

• Questions regarding the fairness of the voting process.
• The role and conduct of the central forces.
• The direct electoral face-off between the TMC and the BJP.

Both political camps are trading serious accusations against one another, rendering the political climate increasingly tense. The second phase of the Bengal elections was not limited merely to voting; it was also rife with mutual accusations and political rhetoric. Now, all eyes are fixed on the results due on May 4th, which will determine where the public stands.