West Bengal Polling 2026: Ink Blot Found On BJP EVM Button In Panihati, Voting Delayed

Last Updated:April 29, 2026, 15:16 IST

The situation escalated briefly as TMC workers gathered at the spot and allegedly created a ruckus with Jay Saha, the chief election agent for BJP candidate Ratna Debnath.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: As voting continues in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, isolated incidents of tension and allegations of irregularities have surfaced on Wednesday.

At a polling booth in Panihati, a row was triggered after a blot of ink was reportedly found on the BJP’s “lotus" symbol button on the electronic voting machine, making it illegible. Following objections from party workers and voters, the ink was removed using sanitiser, after which voting resumed. Locals at the booth claimed they had to wait for nearly an hour during the disruption.

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The situation escalated briefly as Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers gathered at the spot and allegedly created a ruckus with Jay Saha, the chief election agent for BJP candidate Ratna Debnath.

Earlier today, the BJP 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 IT Cell chief Amit Malviya claimed that 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.

Read More: ‘Diamond Harbour Model’: BJP Alleges TMC Blocked ‘Lotus’ Symbol On EVMs, Poll Body Seeks Report

The BJP has demanded an immediate repoll in all affected booths in Falta, alleging deliberate attempts to influence voting. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said the party is closely monitoring the situation and is in touch with senior leadership.

“We are monitoring and will do what is required. The Election Commission has taken cognisance. I have conveyed the situation to central leaders," Adhikari said, adding that a significant portion of voting still remains.

Panihati Assembly Seat

BJP has fielded RG Kar rape victim’s mother, Ratna Debnath, against TMC’s Tirthankar Ghosh in Panihati. Kalatan Dasgupta from the Left Front and Congress candidate Subhashish Bhattacharya are also in the fray.

Tensions were also reported in Panihati when BJP candidate Ratna Debnath visited the area to assess polling. Locals raised “Go back" slogans against her during the visit.

Responding to the protests, Debnath said such actions would not resolve issues and called for strict measures. She also alleged that she was attacked by “Trinamool goons" while attempting to assist an elderly voter outside the polling booth.

West Bengal Elections Phase 2

The second phase of polling is being held across 142 constituencies, covering key districts such as Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly and Purba Bardhaman. These regions are considered politically crucial and have traditionally been strongholds of the Trinamool Congress.

(With inputs from agencies)

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