The Election Commission of India has ordered the transfer of several senior administrative and police officials in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, triggering political controversy and protests from the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The development led to a protest in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, where TMC members staged a walkout against the decision.
According to a letter issued by the Election Commission on March 15, the poll body directed the transfer of the state’s Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary for Home and Hill Affairs after reviewing the preparedness of the state administration for the forthcoming elections.
TMC Leaders Criticise Decision, Walk Out of Rajya Sabha
Several leaders from the Trinamool Congress criticised the move, alleging that the Election Commission’s action undermines the elected state government.
TMC Member of Parliament Sagarika Ghose strongly objected to the timing and manner of the transfers.
“The manner in which the Election Commission transferred the Bengal Home Secretary and Chief Secretary at 4 am in the dead of night is unacceptable. The Election Commission has these powers, but it is misusing them to damage the elected government in Bengal. That’s why our party walked out of Parliament for the entire day,” she said, according to reports.
Centre Defends Poll Body’s Authority
Responding to the criticism, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the Election Commission’s actions.
Rijiju said the poll body has the constitutional authority to order such administrative transfers during the election period and criticised the Trinamool Congress for raising objections in Parliament.
Key Administrative Changes Announced
The Election Commission’s directive resulted in the transfer of two top officials in the administration led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
- Nandini Chakravorty, the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, has been transferred. She has been replaced by Dushyant Nariala, a 1993-batch IAS officer.
- Jagdish Prasad Meena, Principal Secretary for Home and Hill Affairs, has been replaced by Sanghamitra Ghosh, a 1997-batch IAS officer.
Major Police Reshuffle in the State
The Election Commission’s order also included changes in several senior police positions in the state.
- Siddh Nath Gupta (IPS, 1992 batch) has been appointed Director General and Inspector General of Police, West Bengal.
- Nataraj Ramesh Babu (IPS, 1991 batch) has been named Director General of Correctional Services.
- Ajay Mukand Ranade (IPS, 1995 batch) has been posted as Additional Director General and Inspector General of Police, Law and Order.
- Ajay Kumar Nand (IPS, 1996 batch) has been appointed Commissioner of the Kolkata Police.
The commission also stated that the officials who have been transferred will not be assigned any election-related duties until the completion of the election process.
State authorities have been instructed to submit compliance reports by 3 pm on March 16.
Assembly Election Schedule Announced
The reshuffle comes shortly after the Election Commission announced the schedule for Assembly elections in several states.
Polling will take place in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Assam, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry.
In West Bengal, voting will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.