Goa, May 1 -- A political controversy erupted in Kolkata after leaders of the Trinamool Congress staged a sit-in protest outside an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) strongroom at Netaji Indoor Stadium, alleging that ballot boxes were being accessed without the presence of authorised party representatives. The protest, led by state minister Shashi Panja and party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, both candidates in the recent Assembly elections, quickly drew attention amid heightened post-poll tensions in West Bengal.

The Trinamool Congress claimed that unusual activity was observed inside the secured facility housing EVMs from several constituencies in north Kolkata. Party leaders questioned how individuals were seen inside a sealed strongroom an...