The Election Commission removed several top West Bengal bureaucrats, including the Chief Secretary and DGP, just hours after announcing the state’s poll schedule. The move triggered strong protests from the Trinamool Congress, which accused the BJP of misusing government machinery ahead of elections.
New Delhi: Soon after the Election Commission announced the dates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, it ordered the removal of several senior bureaucrats in the state, including Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty. The decision has triggered strong political reactions, especially from the Mamata Banerjee-led government.
The Election Commission declared that polling in West Bengal will take place in two phases — April 23 and April 29 — while the counting of votes will be conducted on May 4.
Within hours of the announcement, the poll panel issued directions to remove several top officials from their posts. Among those removed was Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty. The Commission clarified that Chakravorty would not be assigned any election-related work during the poll period.
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The Election Commission appointed Dushyant Nariala, a 1993-batch IAS officer, as the new Chief Secretary of the state.
Along with the administrative reshuffle, the Commission also ordered changes in the state’s police leadership. West Bengal Director General of Police Peeyush Pandey has been replaced by Siddh Nath Gupta. At the same time, Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar has been replaced by Ajay Kumar Nand.
The Commission further directed the removal of West Bengal Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena.
In an official communication sent to the West Bengal government on Sunday night, the Election Commission also instructed that Sanghamitra Ghosh, a 1997-batch IAS officer, be appointed as Principal Secretary in the Home and Hill Affairs Department.
The letter issued by the poll panel made it clear that the officers who were transferred would not be allowed to take part in any election-related responsibilities during the election process.
“…the officers transferred out shall not be posted in any election-related posts till the completion of elections,”
the communication, signed by commission secretary Sujeet Kr Mishra, said.
The Election Commission explained that these changes were made after reviewing the state’s election preparedness. The Commission also instructed that the new officers must take charge immediately and directed the state government to submit a report confirming their joining by 3 pm on Monday.
The Commission’s action quickly led to political tensions.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reacted strongly to the decision and announced that she would lead a protest march at 4 pm on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) protested the decision in Parliament. TMC members staged a day-long walkout from the Rajya Sabha, accusing the Election Commission of taking unfair action against the state government.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien criticized the move by the Election Commission.
“In the dead of night, the chief secretary, the principal secretary and the home secretary have been removed by the EC. They have all the power to do it,”
Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien said, adding that his party was walking out for the day in protest.
Responding to the protest, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the Election Commission’s authority. He said that the poll body is a constitutional institution and its decisions should be respected.
He stated that questioning the decisions of the Election Commission inside Parliament was not appropriate.
Trinamool Congress MP Shatabdi Roy also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misusing government machinery in order to influence the election.
“The BJP is using all tactics to win the elections. It is misusing government resources. The Chief Secretary was removed for this reason. The public is with the Trinamool,”
said the Trinamool MP.
The Election Commission, however, maintained that its actions were taken purely to ensure free and fair elections in the state.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had earlier stated during a press conference that the Commission is committed to conducting peaceful elections in West Bengal.
He had assured that the poll body would take all necessary steps to ensure that the elections in the state are conducted without violence and in a fair manner.
“In pursuance of this objective,”
the Election Commission said it had transferred several senior police officials in the state, including the Director General of Police of West Bengal and the Commissioner of Police of Kolkata.
The developments have intensified the political atmosphere in West Bengal as the state prepares for a crucial election season. With administrative changes ordered by the Election Commission and protests planned by the ruling Trinamool Congress, the political contest ahead of the April polls is expected to remain highly charged.
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