The TMC described the situation as a “murder of democracy” on X while sharing a video allegedly showing EVMs being tampered with inside the strong room. (AITC X: @AITCofficial)What began as a video message by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to her workers and leaders quickly snowballed into a major controversy surrounding strong rooms and allegations of attempted EVM tampering on Friday.Banerjee herself visited a strong room in Kolkata, while her party candidates began a dharna outside another strong room in the city. Some BJP candidates, too, reached the centre and levelled counter-allegations against the TMC leadership.Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) held a press conference and refuted all allegations of EVM tampering.Chronology of events5 pm, FridayIn a video message posted on her social media page, Banerjee rejects exit poll predictions, many of which have forecast a BJP win, saying they were being aired at the ‘instruction of the BJP’ to demoralise TMC workers. Asking party workers to maintain calm and not respond to any provocation, Banerjee tells them not to “retaliate right now” if attacked.“I am asking our workers and the general people to guard the strong rooms and counting centres. I ask all our candidates in 294 seats to individually guard the strong rooms and counting centres. In my area, I will do so. Guard during the day and night. If I can do it, you can too. Stay awake in the night during the vigil and in the morning hand over the job to others,” Banerjee says.7 pmTrinamool Congress highlights a grab from CCTV footage at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata. The grab shows some people handling EVMs in the corridors of the strong room.7.30 pmTMC Beleghata candidate Kunal Ghosh and Shyampukur candidate Sashi Panja rush to Khudiram Anushilan Kendra and start a dharna alleging EVM tampering.8 pmStory continues below this adTMC Maniktala candidate Sreya Pandey, along with supporters, reaches Khudiram Anushilan Kendra.Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court upholds EC’s decision to deploy Central government employees at the counting centres, which was challenged by TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee.8.15 pmTMC chief Mamata Banerjee visits Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School at Kolkata’s Lord Sinha Road, which is a strong room for the Bhabanipur assembly seat.8.30 pmBJP candidates Tapas Roy and Santosh Pathak reach Khudiram Anushilan Kendra. They allege that TMC was trying to breach security and tamper with EVMs. BJP workers pour in.Story continues below this adBJP supporters also reach Sakhawat Memorial School. A huge contingent of police is deployed in the area.9 pmNorth Kolkata DEO Smita Pandey comes to Khudiram Anushilan Kendra and enters the counting centre with Kunal Ghosh and Sashi Panja.9.15 pmBJP workers protest against the presence of a TMC campaign van near Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School. They allege that the TMC was trying to take away EVMs. They try to block the van, which is ultimately escorted away by security agencies.10.30 pmTMC leaders leave Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, while a small group of party workers, along with rival BJP workers, remain at the spot.11 pmStory continues below this adWest Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal and North Kolkata DEO Smita Pandey hold a press conference.Smita Pandey says, “All EVMs are perfectly sealed and closed in the strong room. Their footage can be seen from the CCTV camera installed. In Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, there are seven ACs, and one room is for postal ballots. What happened today is the segregation of postal ballots.”Smita Pandey adds, “Our AEROs were doing that segregation process at the corridor of Khudiram Anushilam Kendra. We have already informed all political parties that we are going to do this process from 4 pm. So, this allegation is not correct. After the allegation came, we went there with the candidates who protested, showing them that everything was according to SOP by EC, and there was no breach of the strong room. Everything was recorded.”12.07 am, SaturdayMamata Banerjee comes out of Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School and says, “I have requested that candidates and election agents should be given proper facilities. I was here for four hours. I was here to keep a vigil. Our EVM machines are here. In Netaji Indoor, we have seen EVMs being opened. So I visited here because I wanted to check. Initially, they stopped us. But later, the RO (returning officer) allowed me to enter. I will ensure that votes are not captured forcibly in a democratic setup. This is our area. I could have brought thousands here. I did not.”12.15 amStory continues below this adMamata Banerjee leaves the area. A small group of TMC and BJP workers remains.The counting for the Bengal Assembly elections will be held on May 4.Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read MoreAtri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain. Experience Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions. Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla. Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting. Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd