TMC, BJP workers clash outside Kolkata counting centre; Mamata keeps vigil at another strong room

Kolkata: A scuffle broke out between workers of the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) outside the counting centre at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday, following allegations by Trinamool leaders of "suspicious movements" inside a strong room. Trinamool Congress candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja staged a protest outside the gate of the counting centre, alleging irregularities linked to the strong room at the adjacent Khudiram Anushilan Kendra here. Workers of both parties raised slogans against each other, leading to a brief confrontation. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee reached the strong room at the Shakhawat Memorial counting centre, where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) of her Bhabanipur Assembly constituency are kept. She remained at the site for more than two to three hours, keeping vigil outside the strong room in her capacity as a candidate. Trinamool Congress candidate from Kolkata Port constituency, Firhad (Bobby) Hakim, also visited the location. After reviewing the arrangements, Mamata Banerjee instructed Trinamool candidates across the state to remain alert and maintain vigilance outside strong rooms through the night. She advised that candidates ensure continuous presence, making necessary arrangements for food, water, and rotation of personnel. At Netaji Indoor Stadium, while Trinamool candidates Kunal Ghosh (Beleghata) and Shashi Panja (Shyampukur) were present, BJP candidates Santosh Pathak (Chowrangee) and Tapas Roy (Maniktala) also reached the venue and objected to the Trinamool gathering outside the strong room. Following a few hours of protest and police intervention, the Trinamool candidates withdrew their demonstration after receiving assurances from the Election Commission. BJP workers also called off their protest subsequently. Apart from alleging suspicious movement inside the strong room, the Trinamool Congress also raised concerns over alleged non-compliance with rules relating to postal ballots. The Election Commission, however, denied the allegations and said that candidates had been...