No unnecessary drama near booth: TMC deputes cool heads
Times of India | 29 April 2026
Kolkata: Banking on discipline over confrontation, Trinamool has put in place a tightly managed booth strategy ahead of Wednesday's polling, relying on seasoned hands as polling agents while directing party workers to maximise turnout without triggering flashpoints.
Through a series of virtual meetings held across Tuesday — from late morning till evening — the party leadership briefed booth-level workers on a calibrated plan: Experienced agents will be stationed inside polling booths, while less seasoned workers will operate from party camps set up 100 m away from the booths in keeping with Election Commission norms.
"The emphasis is on composure. Those inside booths are all experienced, including relievers. The brief is to avoid any confrontation that could disrupt voting or lead to intervention by central forces. Even if someone slaps you at the booth, don't retaliate and keep working," said a senior party functionary in Behala.
Parallelly, the party has activated its voter outreach machinery. Dedicated teams will work through the day to call voters using databases compiled during the SIR exercise, updating them on queue lengths and nudging them to step out and vote. The aim, leaders said, is to smooth voter flow and prevent crowding.
Party seniors said the poll agents have been instructed to reach the booths between 5 am and 5.30 am, at least half an hour before the mock poll session begins.
Agents have also been instructed to record granular details inside polling stations, including the charge levels of electronic voting machines (EVMs), along with vote tallies at the close of polling. These records, party workers said, will be cross-checked during counting on May 4 to flag any discrepancy.
A key thrust of the strategy is targeted mobilisation. The party has prioritised women voters — particularly the elderly — while simultaneously focusing on urban poor clusters across south Kolkata. In constituencies such as Rashbehari, Bhowanipore and Ballygunge, special teams have been tasked to ensure high turnout from slum and semi-slum pockets.
At the booth level, a three-tier structure has been deployed: one group of agents and relievers inside booths; a second managing party camps; and a third tasked with identifying and escorting voters to polling stations. The latter has been given staggered time slots to bring voters in phases, reducing congestion. "The focus is on ensuring early voting from these areas. It signals momentum and keeps booths less crowded later, making it easier for apartment residents to vote," said a party functionary in Bhowanipore.
Specific pockets — including Durgapur Bridge Colony, Panchanantala, Garcha and Matharbasti — have been marked as priority zones in Rashbehari. Party workers with strong local networks and communication skills have been assigned to mobilise these voters, while educated youth have been task-ed with outreach in apartment complexes.