Mamata cites ‘load shedding’, warns against ‘EVM trapping’

Kolkata: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Asking Trinamool workers on Sunday to be wary of “EVM capture”, it said complaints about power outages were pouring in from the EVM vaults after the first phase of assembly polls in the state.“Look at the EC! It is your job to ensure that EVMs are not caught. Why are there so many load-sheddings? This clearly indicates malicious intent. I urge you not to fall into their trap,” the CM said at a rally in Bhowanipore, where she is campaigning.Bengal’s chief minister said she was leading by 4,000 votes in the 2021 Nandigram assembly elections before the counting center lost power.After supplies resumed, the trend reversed and she eventually lost to the BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari by less than 2,000 votes. Banerjee challenged the outcome in the Calcutta High Court and the matter is still pending.“Everyone has to vote. They will try to tamper with EVMs. If a machine malfunctions, come back and vote again. Do not vote on a machine that has malfunctioned before. Every EVM must be checked thoroughly. Central forces will try to capture EVMs; they are under the influence of the EC. Let them do whatever they want. Women should protect EVMs from polling day till the counting of votes is over,” Banerjee said at the rally on Sunday.Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Chief Minister said: “The British Prime Minister uses foul language. He is scared. He thinks he can win by spreading fear. Remember, if you try to incite fear, we know how to fight back.”