Suvendu accuses Mamata of ‘dramabazi’ at counting centre, says move will not change verdict

Suvendu Adhikari accused Mamata Banerjee of “dramabazi” over her visit to a counting centre, dismissing EVM tampering claims and asserting BJP will win as tensions escalate ahead of result day

Kolkata: Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Friday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of resorting to ‘dramabazi’ (theatrics) in front of a counting centre here the previous night. Talking to reporters at the BJP election office in Bhabanipur, Adhikari said the CM may continue “such antics” for two more days, but it will not change the verdict.

“What she is doing is nothing short of ‘dramabazi’. She rushed to the counting centre in a vehicle having facilities like a washroom and stayed there for four hours. Even if she wants to change the outcome, that will never happen,” Adhikari, who is contesting against the TMC supremo from Bhabanipur constituency, said.

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“Her exit from power in West Bengal is imminent,” the leader of the opposition said.
Adhikari is also seeking re-election from Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district. On Banerjee’s allegations of EVM tampering, Adhikari said, “What is her plan? Whatever she is doing is not right.

She is desperate as she will lose. Poriborton (change) is happening in West Bengal, and everyone knows it. The exact numbers will be known by May 4 afternoon. But a BJP government is coming.” On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, suspecting EVM tampering.

Banerjee, who left the counting centre housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata past midnight, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.

Sounding a stern note ahead of counting, she added, “If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated.” The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strongrooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.