Cash for votes: Mamata accuses BJP of ‘bringing Rs 300 cr through Odisha border’

MP, Apr 27, 2026, Kolkata : Alleging a “cash-for-votes” operation by the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mamata Banerjee, chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress, on Sunday claimed that “Rs 300 crore” had been brought into Bhowanipore from Odisha in a black Scorpio and was being distributed in slum areas.

Addressing a series of meetings across the constituency, she also urged voters to carefully verify their VVPAT slips after casting ballots, warning that any malfunctioning machine should be immediately flagged and not used for voting.

She warned voters against inducements, alleging that money was being distributed in exchange for votes, and cautioned against supporting independent candidates or “outsiders”.

Calling the election a “festival of democracy”, she urged voters to carry their voter slips, remain vigilant, and not fall for provocations while maintaining peace.

Banerjee’s campaign on Sunday covered multiple locations in the Bhowanipur Assembly Constituency as per a packed schedule. It began with a march from Lansdowne to Kalighat Fire Station, followed by public meetings at Camac Street opposite Vardaan Market, the Ganga Prasad Mukherjee Road–Paddapukur Road crossing, Mansatala crossing, and Kalighat.

Banerjee alleged that the BJP was attempting to influence the election process through the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the deployment of central forces.

She claimed that police officials currently posted in the area had been “cherry-picked” after large-scale reshuffles, and accused them of inaction against BJP workers while targeting Trinamool Congress supporters.

She also questioned whether naka-checking was being conducted effectively despite the alleged movement of large sums of cash into the constituency.

The Trinamool chief repeatedly cautioned voters against attempts to “capture EVMs”, alleging that central forces could be used to intimidate voters.

She called upon women in particular to remain calm in the face of provocation and to ensure vigilance around polling stations. Voters, she said, should not cast ballots on malfunctioning machines and must return to vote again if required.

Banerjee asserted that her party had already crossed 100 seats in the first phase and would add another 100 in the next, claiming this had made the BJP “afraid”.

She alleged that central agencies were being used to influence the electoral outcome and reiterated her opposition to the implementation of the NRC.

Highlighting her government’s record, she described Bengal as a “mini-India” where people of all communities live together peacefully.

She cited development initiatives including the construction and renovation of religious sites across communities, expansion of healthcare facilities through linkages with SSKM Hospital, and the elevation of Bhawanipur Education Society College to a university with state support.

She also pointed to welfare measures for traders and gig workers, and said the state had not increased taxes even as central levies had risen.

The Trinamool leader rejected BJP’s claims about women’s safety and urban conditions in Kolkata, asserting that both rich and poor have equal rights to the city.

She also criticised the Centre over security issues, referring to the Pahalgam incident, and questioned the deployment priorities of central forces.