VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html ‘Continue seeing Gaza on YouTube’: Netanyahu mocks flotilla as Israel intercepts more than 20 ships with 175 activists; draws global flak Voda Idea gets over 23,000 crore respite in payment to government CUET UG 2026: NTA opens online portal for PwD and PwBD scribe registration; apply here ‘KD The Devil’ Twitter review: Dhruva Sarja shines in mass entertainer; Fans go wild over action and high-octane drama What colorectal surgeons avoid to lower their risk of colon cancer Purnima in May 2026: Date, moonrise timings, puja rituals and significance of Vaishakha Purnima JPMorgan executive accused of sexually assaulting ‘brown boy Indian’: Report NEW DELHI: Streets of Kolkata witnessed a showdown between the Election Commission and Trinamool Congress days after the West Bengal assembly polls, as the latter staged a sit-in protest alleging irregularities inside strongrooms housing EVMs.Alleging procedural lapses, TMC leaders claimed party workers stationed outside the strongroom were asked to leave in the afternoon and later received information that the strongroom would be reopened at 4 pm.Speaking on the incident, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said, “Party workers and supporters were present outside the strongroom till 3.30 pm. Suddenly, an email was sent informing that the strongroom would be opened again at 4 pm. We contacted our workers and they said they had left. We then rushed here. Now we are not being allowed to enter. BJP is being invited.”In a post on X, the TMC described the “act” as a “murder of democracy in broad daylight”, accusing Bharatiya Janata Party of colluding with the Election Commission to tamper with ballot boxes and EVMs during the ongoing poll process.In a strongly worded statement, the party claimed that CCTV footage showed ballot boxes being opened without the presence of authorised representatives of political parties, terming it “gross electoral fraud”.The TMC further alleged that attempts such as voter intimidation, deletion of names and misuse of central forces had failed, prompting the BJP to resort to “desperate measures” like tampering with EVMs.“CCTV footage has exposed how BJP, in active collusion with the @ECISVEEP, is opening ballot boxes without the presence of any relevant party stakeholders. This is gross electoral fraud being committed openly with the full knowledge and protection of the Election Commission,” TMC posted.Mamata reaches counting centreThe situation further escalated after TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee reached the counting centre for the Bhabanipur assembly segment, braving torrential rains in the city.Claiming that her party received reports of EVM tampering in many parts of the state, Mamata said, “There is a strongroom here for EVMs. We found that in many places, manipulation is taking place. When I saw the CCTV on TV, I thought I should also go and see it. Initially, the Central Forces wouldn’t let me enter. But according to our election rules, the candidate and election agent of any party are allowed up to the sealed room.”The chief minister also urged citizens to maintain peace and harmony during this crucial time. “Victory is certain,” she said.“Bengal refuses to bow to the Bohiragotos of Delhi and Gujarat, who seek to subjugate a people whose soul they can never understand. Every act of wrongdoing against our people, every overreach, and every heavy-handed tactic by the BJP and their Central Forces will be answered. Once the results are in, every transgression will be paid for in full through the ruthless power of the democratic process,” the TMC wrote on X.BJP counters TMC’s sit-in protestThe TMC’s protest was countered by the BJP after its leaders from Maniktala and Chowrangee reached the spot. They also confronted senior police officers on why TMC workers were allowed to gather and raise slogans at a sensitive venue.BJP leaders present at the venue alleged that the TMC was “cooking up a false narrative and lying to the people”.“I learnt about the commotion and rushed to this place and found TMC supporters howling outside the venue, which they cannot do in a sensitive place like this. They shouldn’t have been allowed to gather here. They verbally abused us,” Tapas Roy said.“I heard the District Election Officer took the TMC candidates inside to show nothing was wrong at the strongrooms,” he added.BJP workers also blocked the movement of a TMC vehicle, alleging it was carrying suspicious items.“There is something in the vehicle. Mamata Banerjee has brought something in her vehicle. The vehicle will not be allowed to move,” one worker claimed.Another BJP worker said, “They (TMC) will put duplicate machines and tamper with them… What is the vehicle of TMC doing outside the counting centre?”EC rejects chargesWest Bengal chief electoral officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, however, said that EVMs strong rooms are “safe and secure” and asserted that there is no “controversy” in the incident.”No CCTV was turned off. CCTV footage of all 8 strong rooms there, 7 of EVMs and 1 of the postal ballot, is being telecast. Political parties’ people can sit beyond the three-layer security and see this. They saw some movement around 4 pm when our staff was opening the postal ballot room as per the rules. As per the rule, all political parties were informed, and all candidates were informed by the RO (returning officer),” Agarwal told news agency ANI. “They should have come here…After 4 pm, 3 candidates had come, and they saw everything that the EVMs’ strong rooms were sealed while the postal ballot’s strong room was open. The 3 then left,” Agarwal said.”There will be no law and order situation. These things happen. The law and order situation is fine. Counting will be 100% neat and clean just like the elections were,” he added.Agarwal asserted that the poll body has “nothing to hide”, stressing that they would not allow any “trouble” to take place in the polling procedures.In an apparent reference to the video posted by Trinamool Congress on its X handle, the officials said that all strong rooms containing polled EVMs are safely secured and sealed. They noted that there was routine segregation of postal ballots.HC rejects TMC’s pleaIn another development, the Calcutta high court also rejected the TMC’s plea challenging the Election Commission of India’s directive to deploy central government and PSU employees for vote counting.The court upheld the validity of the decision requiring central government/PSU employees to serve as supervisors and assistants, and dismissed the writ petition.It observed that any grievance can be raised via an election petition under Section 100 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.Earlier, Mamata had alleged that “observers from outside” and police officers unfamiliar with Bengal were being deployed in a manner targeting TMC workers during Phase II of polling.SIR fears dominated Bengal elections and is believed to be the reason behind Bengal’s highest voter turnout since independence. However, polling day also saw heightened political tensions between the TMC and BJP over the deployment of security forces.Centre-state rivalry, controversy over the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, and several other factors have made the Bengal assembly elections one of the most fiercely contested in recent memory.A majority of exit polls predicted a neck-and-neck battle between the TMC and BJP, with a poll of polls placing both parties at around 145 seats each in the 294-member assembly, while smaller parties and independents are expected to have only a marginal presence.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJabalpur Cruise Boat Capsize: 9 Dead as Rescue Operations Continue at Bargi Dam in Madhya PradeshChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth $14 Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink ShipsECI Introduces New QR Code Photo ID Rule To Prevent Unauthorised Entry At Counting CentresCCTV Shows Car Plunging Into Gorge In Una, Himachal | Tyre Burst Suspected, 2 KilledDelhi HC Freezes Sunjay Kapur Assets, Restrains Priya Kapur In High-Stakes Inheritance DisputeLet’s Not Choose For People: Supreme Court Pulls Up Centre Over Minor Rape Survivor’s Pregnancy Case’Sonia Gandhi Takes Decisions’: Congress President Kharge On Karnataka CM Change BuzzHafiz Saeed’s Aides Hunted Down: Lashkar-e-Taiba Loses Commanders to Mysterious Killings123Photostories6 high-potential residential areas in Kanpur for smart property investmentWhen a child stops sharing things with parents, it usually begins with these 6 parental habitsHow to grow moringa tree at home (Simple Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)10 ancient Sanskrit-inspired baby names with modern appeal5 small home changes that can reduce stress without spending moneyMorning affirmation at 5am: The first thoughts you choose each morning shape everything afterFrom opening up about his troubled childhood and growing up in a violent home to facing bullying at school; Sidharth Bhardwaj recalls his traumatic pastThis Indian street food is crowned Prayagraj’s official signature dish8 South Indian dishes among the Top 100 Pancakes in the WorldVirat Kohli: 7 life lessons to learn from the RCB cricketer123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingStock Market TodayBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkTripura Madhyamik Result 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap FDI inflows likely to have crossed $90 billion in FY26 NTA reviews CUET UG 2026 city allotment issues amid complaints over distant centres; update shortly for affected aspirants Ranveer Singh’s ‘Pralay’ to go on floors in August 2026; makers rubbish rumours of ‘creative differences’ 6 high-potential residential areas in Kanpur for smart property investment ‘Life jackets given after boat started sinking’: What led to Jabalpur tragedy that killed 9 May 01, 2026, 09:21 IST ‘Cricket wants to go football way, purists not ready’: Heinrich Klaasen Safe haven: RBI brings back another 104MT of gold Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, or Nayanthara: Are ‘Tumbbad 2’ makers chasing a big-ticket female lead? ​When a child stops sharing things with parents, it usually begins with these 6 parental habits FCC rejects SpaceX request, tells Elon Musk’s company: We dismiss, with prejudice, the portions of SpaceX’s various applications to … Trump admin claims Iran ceasefire ‘terminated’ hostilities ahead of US-Congress 60-day deadline IPL 2026 ultimate face-off: Can Mitchell Starc stop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rampage? Bank holidays in May 2026: On which days are banks closed? Check full state-wise list Ajith Kumar’s birthday: Adhik Ravichandran’s message trends online; ‘AK64’ hype builds Love Horoscope Today, May 01, 2026: What the stars say about your love life 11cm in 1 hour: Deluge could have filled 30,000 pools, two-thirds of Bengaluru’s lakes Lost for 40 years: 1,000-year-old royal seal of Edward the Confessor found in Paris | World News State-run banks hire over 50,000 in FY26, a rise of 33% ‘Raja Shivaji’: Rakhi Sawant, Tanvi Kolte, and other ‘Bigg Boss Marathi 6’ contestants attend premiere of Riteish Deshmukh’s film Iran to play in 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirms FIFA president Gianni Infantino IPL 2026: Kagiso Rabada gives Virat Kohli a death stare after dismissal – Watch Windfall gains tax cut: Excise duty on diesel exports down to Rs 23/litre, ATF exports to Rs 33/litre NEET UG 2026: NTA issues dress code and exam day guidelines for candidates ‘Raja Shivaji’ advance box office report: Riteish Deshkmukh starrer eyes record opening for a Marathi film Woman accuses Andhra cop of sexual assault, issuing death threats to her Bombay high court sets aside 1,500 crore IGST demand against Tata Sons Raja Shivaji Movie Review and Release Live Updates: Riteish Deshmukh starrer off to a record start at box office; eyes Rs 10 crore debut ‘Why shouldn’t I?’: Trump escalates pressure on Nato allies, signals troop cuts in Italy, Spain over Iran conflict IPL 2026 | Rajat Patidar catch controversy explained: Was Jason Holder’s catch fair in RCB skipper dismissal? Amazon’s quick-commerce monthly orders up 25%, scale gaps stay ‘LIK’ box office collections day 21: Pradeep Ranganathan film earns just Rs 6 lakh; Lifetime nears Rs 60 cr Watch: New footage of shooter Cole Allen casing hotel before White House dinner attack released StanChart to sell select credit cards biz to Federal Bank Karan Johar Met Gala 2026 debut: Bollywood filmmaker set to attend with Manish Malhotra? – Reports Kanha tigress, all 4 cubs die in suspected canine distemper virus outbreak in Madhya Pradesh Representative image NEW DELHI: With many public figures and holders of constitutional posts making statements with communal and caste overtones, the Supreme Court has appealed to them to maintain restraint in public discourse and said that hate speech strikes at the very root of fraternity, plurality and multiculturalism in the country.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said hate speech stems from a perception of difference that breeds exclusion, where the “other” is viewed as alien, inferior or undeserving of equal regard.”… Hate speech is fundamentally antithetical to the constitutional value of fraternity and strikes at the moral fabric of our Republic…” the court said.While the court disposed of various contempt pleas in cases of hate speech, given that steps had been taken by the authorities, it sought a response from Tamil Nadu govt on the hate speech allegedly made by its deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin. “Speech that is designed to… promote hatred between communities or disturb public tranquility corrodes foundational values of democracy,” it said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth $14 Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink ShipsECI Introduces New QR Code Photo ID Rule To Prevent Unauthorised Entry At Counting CentresCCTV Shows Car Plunging Into Gorge In Una, Himachal | Tyre Burst Suspected, 2 KilledDelhi HC Freezes Sunjay Kapur Assets, Restrains Priya Kapur In High-Stakes Inheritance DisputeLet’s Not Choose For People: Supreme Court Pulls Up Centre Over Minor Rape Survivor’s Pregnancy Case’Sonia Gandhi Takes Decisions’: Congress President Kharge On Karnataka CM Change BuzzHafiz Saeed’s Aides Hunted Down: Lashkar-e-Taiba Loses Commanders to Mysterious KillingsRecord Bengal Turnout at 92.9%, SIR Row and Voter Surge Complicate Poll Reading123Photostories5 small home changes that can reduce stress without spending moneyMorning affirmation at 5am: The first thoughts you choose each morning shape everything afterFrom opening up about his troubled childhood and growing up in a violent home to facing bullying at school; Sidharth Bhardwaj recalls his traumatic pastThis Indian street food is crowned Prayagraj’s official signature dish8 South Indian dishes among the Top 100 Pancakes in the WorldTV serials with strong woman leads, ‘Naamkaran’, ‘Neema Denzongpa and others- check the list hereHow to make Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao for summer dinner5 most crowded national parks in the USA; what travellers should knowGokuldham society’s plot twists that no one saw coming: From Tapu going bald to Babu Ji going to jailAishwarya Rai Bachchan to Deepika Padukone: The real price of Bollywood’s most expensive sarees explained123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingPune Gas LeakBengaluru Wall CollapseVande Bharat expressDelhi NewsPawan KheraTripura Madhyamik Result 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap Rupee breaches 95 intra-day as crude leaves markets guessing Salman Khan’s cameo in ‘Raja Shivaji’ goes VIRAL; theatre erupts in cheers as superstar makes epic entrance as Jiva Mahala – WATCH Cruise boat capsize: Tragedy exposes safety gaps, mirrors past lapses in Bhopal; tourists cite no life jackets, overcrowding File photo NEW DELHI: The EC has introduced a QR code-based verification system to regulate access of persons to counting halls on May 4, the day of poll results. The system will be extended to all future elections to Lok Sabha and state/UT assemblies.As part of counting arrangements on May 4, a three-tier security mechanism has been prescribed for verification of identity at counting centres. At first and second tiers, photo ID cards issued by respective returning officers will be checked manually.At the third and innermost security cordon near a counting hall, entry shall be permitted only after successful verification through QR-code scanning.New QR code-based photo ID cards will be applicable for different categories of persons authorised by the EC to enter counting centres and halls.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth $14 Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink ShipsECI Introduces New QR Code Photo ID Rule To Prevent Unauthorised Entry At Counting CentresCCTV Shows Car Plunging Into Gorge In Una, Himachal | Tyre Burst Suspected, 2 KilledDelhi HC Freezes Sunjay Kapur Assets, Restrains Priya Kapur In High-Stakes Inheritance DisputeLet’s Not Choose For People: Supreme Court Pulls Up Centre Over Minor Rape Survivor’s Pregnancy Case’Sonia Gandhi Takes Decisions’: Congress President Kharge On Karnataka CM Change BuzzHafiz Saeed’s Aides Hunted Down: Lashkar-e-Taiba Loses Commanders to Mysterious KillingsRecord Bengal Turnout at 92.9%, SIR Row and Voter Surge Complicate Poll Reading123Photostories5 small home changes that can reduce stress without spending moneyMorning affirmation at 5am: The first thoughts you choose each morning shape everything afterFrom opening up about his troubled childhood and growing up in a violent home to facing bullying at school; Sidharth Bhardwaj recalls his traumatic pastThis Indian street food is crowned Prayagraj’s official signature dish8 South Indian dishes among the Top 100 Pancakes in the WorldVirat Kohli: 7 life lessons to learn from the RCB cricketerTV serials with strong woman leads, ‘Naamkaran’, ‘Neema Denzongpa and others- check the list hereHow to make Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao for summer dinner5 most crowded national parks in the USA; what travellers should knowGokuldham society’s plot twists that no one saw coming: From Tapu going bald to Babu Ji going to jail123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingPune Gas LeakBengaluru Wall CollapseVande Bharat expressDelhi NewsPawan KheraTripura Madhyamik Result 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap May 01, 2026, 07:08 IST