NEW DELHI: In a decisive move aimed at ensuring free and fair elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a major reshuffle in West Bengal’s top administrative and police officials just hours after announcing the state’s poll schedule. This includes transfers of the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), Principal Secretary (Home), and Kolkata Police Commissioner, among others.
The Election Commission derives its authority from Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers it with “superintendence, direction, and control” over the entire electoral process in states and Union Territories during elections.
Key Transfers in West Bengal Administration
Late Sunday night, the ECI transferred Nandini Chakraborty, the incumbent Chief Secretary, along with Jagdish Prasad Meena, Principal Secretary (Home). Both officials were reportedly considered close to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state.
In their place, the ECI appointed:
- Dushyant Nariala, 1993 batch IAS officer, as the new Chief Secretary
- Sanghamitra Ghosh, 1997 batch IAS officer, as Principal Secretary (Home and Hill Affairs)
These changes are intended to strengthen administrative neutrality during the upcoming elections and ensure smooth governance in the election period.
Major Changes in West Bengal Police Leadership
Following the administrative reshuffle, the ECI also announced transfers in the police hierarchy:
- Peeyush Pandey, DGP of West Bengal, was replaced by Siddh Nath Gupta, 1992 batch IPS officer
- Supratim Sarkar, Kolkata Police Commissioner, was replaced by Ajay Kumar Nand, 1996 batch IPS officer
Additionally, the ECI made changes to key law-and-order positions:
- Ajay Mukund Ranade, 1995 batch IPS officer, appointed as ADG & IGP (Law and Order)
- Natarajan Ramesh Babu, 1991 batch IPS officer, posted as DG, Correctional Services
These positions play a critical role in maintaining law and order, curbing political violence, and ensuring the judicious deployment of security forces during elections.
ECI Assures Violence-Free Polls
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had assured in a press conference that the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections would be peaceful and free from political clashes. The transfer of senior officials is part of the ECI’s proactive steps to implement this commitment.
A senior ECI official stated, “In pursuance of ensuring violence-free elections, senior police officials, including the DGP and Kolkata Police Commissioner, have been appointed/transferred with immediate effect.”
Political Reactions and Controversy
The ECI’s move sparked strong reactions from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Party MP Derek O’Brien announced a day-long walkout by TMC MPs in the Rajya Sabha to protest the transfers.
However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the ECI’s actions, emphasizing the commission’s constitutional authority to make such transfers. He further alleged that TMC often targets constitutional bodies for political gains.
Election Schedule and Next Steps
The ECI announced that West Bengal’s assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. With the administrative and police reshuffle completed, the commission aims to conduct the polls smoothly and without any major disruptions.
The reshuffles—though significant—are not unusual. The ECI has previously made similar transfers in West Bengal during past Lok Sabha and assembly elections to ensure neutrality and prevent administrative bias.
Read also: 4 IPS, 1 WBPS Officer and 27 Inspectors Transferred in West Bengal
