‘What is happening in Falta?’ Amit Shah calls Suvendu Adhikari amid polling unrest

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached out to Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on the morning of polling during the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, seeking detailed updates on the ground situation, particularly in Falta. Voting across 142 constituencies began at 7 am, with heightened political activity and security deployment across several districts.

Suvendu Adhikari, who has been actively visiting multiple polling booths since early morning, was reportedly contacted by Shah to assess developments as reports of unrest and allegations of irregularities began surfacing. Falta quickly emerged as a key concern, with claims of Evm tampering and tension dominating the electoral narrative in the constituency.

In Diamond Harbour, police observer Ajay Pal Sharma has been maintaining a strong presence, moving across sensitive areas with a convoy supported by central forces and armoured vehicles to ensure smooth polling. Despite the security measures, sporadic incidents of unrest have been reported, adding to the charged atmosphere during voting hours.

BJP candidate from Falta, Debangshu Panda, alleged that at Booth No. 177 in Debipur, the party’s symbol on the Electronic Voting Machine was deliberately covered with tape to mislead voters. He further claimed that similar allegations have surfaced from five booths, intensifying tensions in the area, with reports of lathi-charge also emerging during the day.

The Election Commission has sought a detailed report into the matter, and the issue has drawn attention at the highest levels. Suvendu Adhikari stated that Amit Shah also spoke to Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal regarding the situation. With the BJP aiming to improve its electoral performance compared to 2021, the party leadership continues to closely monitor polling developments as voting progresses under tight security.