New Delhi, May 2 -- As repolling commenced today across 15 booths in South 24 Parganas, the move has ignited a fierce war of words between the BJP and the Congress.

While the BJP views the exercise as a necessary correction of electoral irregularities, the Congress has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission's (ECI) neutrality and the heavy deployment of security forces.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal defended the ECI's decision, framing the repoll as a standard procedure to ensure democratic integrity. He remained upbeat about the party's prospects across the state and beyond.

He said, "When the Election Commission feels that there has been some irregularity somewhere, re-polling is conducted there. The voters of Benga...