Clashes outside counting centre in Biddhannagar during West Bengal elections between Trinamool and BJP supporters.

On a Sunday, the police reported a minor clash between Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters outside a counting centre in Biddhannagar, situated in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. The tension had escalated on Saturday night when a quarrel broke out between the workers and supporters of the two parties. The situation soon turned into a clash as both sides chanted slogans and counter-slogans.

Central forces were called in to control the situation, and the police also arrived to disperse the supporters. Eventually, the Trinamool and BJP workers were separated, and barricades were set up to keep them apart. According to the BJP, the quarrel started when Trinamool workers put up their party flags at their camp outside the counting centre.

On the other hand, the Trinamool party claimed that the central forces had resorted to lathi-charge, which they strongly opposed. However, with the intervention of both the central forces and Bidhannagar Police, the situation did not escalate any further. To ensure the safety and security of the counting process, the administration has increased security in and around the strongroom, and strict measures have been put in place outside all other counting centres.

The Election Commission has also taken steps to tighten security in and around the counting centres, in light of the upcoming counting of votes for 293 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal. The elections were held in two phases, and the counting will take place on Monday across 77 counting centres. However, the Election Commission has announced a repolling in all booths of the Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district, as severe electoral offences were found during the second phase of voting on April 29.

As a result, votes will be counted in 293 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, except for Falta. In preparation for the counting, the Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo, Mamata Banerjee, has instructed her party's counting agents to demand a recount in a booth where the BJP is leading by 500 to 700 votes. She also urged the counting agents to spend Sunday night in a nearby lodge or hotel, so they can reach the counting centres early on Monday.

These instructions were given to all counting agents in each Assembly constituency during a virtual meeting. The whole situation has caused some concern, and the administration has already banned any fireworks or victory processions outside the counting centres on the day of counting. As the state eagerly awaits the results of the Assembly elections, all eyes will be on the counting centres, where strict security measures have been put in place to ensure a fair and peaceful counting process.