Political Rivals Present in Same Booth Area Highlight High-Stakes Contest in Bhabanipur

PTI, April 29, 2026, Kolkata : Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari landed in the same polling booth area in Bhabanipur's Chakraberia on Wednesday morning, and took swipes at one another without any direct interaction, underlining the prestige battle unfolding in the CM's political bastion.

Though they did not come face-to-face or exchange courtesies, the two rival candidates were briefly in the same area in ward number 70 of Chakraberia, where Mamata was seated outside a local party office after receiving complaints of alleged intimidation of local TMC leaders. As the TMC supremo remained on the verandah of the party office, Adhikari arrived on the road, just opposite the spot, accompanied by a large contingent of central forces personnel, and launched an attack on the Chief Minister, claiming she had realised that "not a single vote" was coming her way.

While Mamata accused the BJP of trying to "rig" the election using Central forces, police observers and election officials, Adhikari dismissed her allegations as signs of "frustration", saying the Chief Minister was "scared" because state police no longer controlled the polling process.

"Banerjee is scared. Her police have been replaced by central forces, which is why she is scared. The EC has deployed CAPFs here, so if she has any problem, she should approach them. Why have 40-50 people come with her," Adhikari said. He claimed Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also called him.

The BJP candidate also accused the Chief Minister of moving around with "50-60 goons" despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 being in force. "Banerjee is a candidate. She can certainly visit booths. But why this 'gondagardi' (hooliganism)? I have complained to the Kolkata DEO. No one will be allowed to indulge in intimidation this time," he said.

Standing at Chakraberia, Adhikari also campaigned against Mamata, saying: "No one is voting for her. People should be allowed to vote freely. I will win Bhabanipur with a margin of at least 30,000 votes."

Banerjee, who usually steps out of her Kalighat residence only in the afternoon to cast her vote at Mitra Institution School, broke convention this time and hit the ground before 8 am, signalling the political stakes attached to the constituency and the larger battle for south Bengal.

As polling got underway in 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the Assembly elections, Banerjee moved through Chetla, Padmapukur and Chakraberia, visiting booths, speaking to local leaders and sitting outside the polling station in ward number 70 after complaints that the local councillor was allegedly being prevented from stepping out of his home.