Kolkata (West Bengal)

Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters on Wednesday launched an indefinite protest near the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office in Kolkata, alleging large-scale irregularities in the submission of Form 6 applications and demanding strict action against those involved.

The protest, which entered its second day, comes amid heightened political tensions following violent clashes between TMC and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in the area.

Protesters, including booth-level officers (BLOs) backed by the ruling party, have vowed to continue their agitation without a deadline. They have accused Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar of colluding with the BJP, a charge that has further escalated the political confrontation.

Amid the ongoing protest, TMC supporters reiterated their demand for action against those allegedly attempting to submit bulk Form 6 applications. "Action must be taken against those found guilty of attempting to submit Form 6 applications at the Chief Electoral Officer's office in Kolkata," one of the protesters said.

Demonstrators raised slogans and staged sit-ins near the CEO's office, asserting that the alleged irregularities could impact the integrity of the electoral process in West Bengal.

The controversy stems from an incident that occurred on Tuesday when BLOs claimed they intercepted a BJP worker attempting to enter the CEO's office with over 400 Form 6 applications. Form 6 is used for inclusion of names in the electoral rolls, and the large number of applications raised suspicions among TMC supporters.

Following the claim, TMC workers gathered outside the office in protest on Tuesday while BJP supporters also reached the spot, leading to a heated exchange that soon spiralled into violence.

Police said more than 500 supporters from both the BJP and the TMC sides were involved in the clash, which continued for over eight hours and created a tense atmosphere in the heart of the city. Police and central forces had to intervene to bring the situation under control. Personnel equipped with batons had used mild force to disperse the crowd and prevent further escalation.

In response to the unrest, authorities have significantly tightened security arrangements in the area on Wednesday. A heavy deployment of police and central forces has been put in place to maintain law and order and to ensure that no further clashes occur. Barricades have been erected along key stretches of Hare Street near the CEO's office to regulate movement and prevent large gatherings.

Traffic restrictions have also been imposed as part of the security measures. Vehicular movement toward the CEO's office has been curtailed, with routes diverted to alternate roads, leading to inconvenience for commuters.

Officials said these steps are precautionary and will remain in force until the situation stabilises.

The development on Tuesday witnessed a day after TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee lodged a formal complaint with the CEO, West Bengal, alleging that the Election Commission of India was attempting to alter the state's demographic profile by including voters from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the electoral rolls. He had further claimed that the BJP had submitted at least 30,000 Form 6 applications in bulk, a charge that has added another layer to the ongoing political dispute.

Meanwhile, police officials have maintained that they are prepared to handle any situation. Assistant Commissioner Deblal Basu stated that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt law and order, regardless of political affiliation.

READ MORE: Aneesa Sayyad: The ‘Golden Girl’ of Indian shooting

With both sides standing firm and the protest showing no signs of easing, the situation around the CEO's office remains sensitive.

Authorities said they continue to monitor developments closely to prevent any further flare-up in the political standoff over the Form 6 issue.