Akhilesh Yadav targets BJP over Falta repoll, questions EC’s rationale

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over the Election Commission’s decision to order a repoll in West Bengal’s Falta Assembly constituency, alleging that the move was an attempt to “hide an embarrassing defeat” and raising questions on the basis of the decision.

‎In a message posted on his WhatsApp channel, Yadav used a metaphor to criticise the ruling party, saying, “BJP is like a ‘son papdi’ of lies—layer upon layer of falsehood.” He argued that the decision to conduct a repoll suggested the BJP was seeking excuses after facing electoral setbacks.

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‎The remarks come in the backdrop of the Election Commission of India ordering a complete repoll in all 285 polling stations of the 144-Falta Assembly Constituency in West Bengal, citing “severe electoral offences” and alleged subversion of the democratic process during voting held on April 29, 2026. The decision followed media reports and television footage that purportedly pointed to irregularities during polling.

‎Questioning the grounds cited by the poll panel, Yadav said, “The Election Commission has taken this decision based on media reports and television broadcasts. People are asking: Does this mean the media had access inside polling booths? That would be impossible under the rules, especially when every booth had effectively been turned into a fortified zone with the deployment of centrally controlled armed forces.”

‎He further criticised the Commission for flagging the possibility of booth capturing, suggesting it raised doubts about the functioning of election observers. “This raises serious questions about the role of the observers—shouldn’t they be the first to face suspension?” he asked, adding that if any wrongdoing had indeed occurred, the financial burden of conducting a repoll should be recovered from officials responsible for negligence or misconduct.

‎Yadav also dismissed allegations of large-scale irregularities, claiming that concrete evidence had not emerged in the public domain. “If something like this had actually happened, hundreds of videos would have surfaced by now. This is just another layer of lies manufactured by the BJP,” he said.

‎Expressing confidence in the electoral performance of the All India Trinamool Congress, Yadav asserted that the people had already given the party a commanding lead. “No matter how many conspiracies the BJP attempts, the people have already given the Trinamool Congress a lead in 234 seats,” he said, urging party workers to remain vigilant. ‎“Every attempt to alter the outcome will be thwarted by alert workers. Until victory is formally in hand, stay alert—there can be no rest until then,” he added.

‎The repoll decision in Falta has triggered a political slugfest, with opposition leaders questioning the timing and justification of the move, while the Election Commission has maintained that its action was necessary to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.