A political row has erupted in West Bengal over the actions of a Uttar Pradesh-cadre IPS officer, Ajay Pal Sharma, who has been deployed as a police observer by the Election Commission. Sharma’s assertive stance and warnings to potential troublemakers ahead of polling in the South 24 Parganas district have drawn sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which accuses him of overstepping his mandate and intimidating party workers.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the 2011-batch IPS officer spent two days in the Falta Assembly seat, located within the Diamond Harbour parliamentary constituency represented by TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee. Accompanied by over a hundred paramilitary troops and an armoured vehicle, Sharma reportedly compiled a list of individuals identified as potential disruptors of the polling process.
Row Erupts Over Officer’s Visit to TMC Candidate’s Residence
The Prayagraj ACP, who has gained notoriety as ‘Singham’ for his alleged crackdowns on criminals, faced protests from TMC supporters outside the residence and election office of local TMC candidate Jahangir Khan. Demonstrators chanted ‘Jai Bangla’ in front of the premises. In response to the unfolding situation, TMC candidate Khan invoked characters from popular films, comparing the IPS officer to ‘Singham’ and himself to ‘Pushpa’, a character from a Telugu action film. Khan stated that he would not permit ‘BJP-appointed police officials’ from Uttar Pradesh to threaten voters in Falta.
Khan elaborated on Tuesday that the officer’s team had arrived with forces, attempting to pressure him and his supporters. He asserted that such tactics are unacceptable in a democratic system. Eyewitness accounts indicated that Sharma had visited the TMC candidate’s house late on Monday night, reportedly warning that authorities would take swift and decisive action if any reports of voter intimidation emerged.
Election Commission Cites Reports of Voter Card Collection
A poll panel official confirmed that Sharma’s visit to the area was prompted by reports received by the Election Commission. These reports alleged that Khan’s associates were involved in collecting voter identity cards from constituents and issuing threats. However, protestors dismissed these allegations as fabrications, demanding that Sharma provide evidence of voter intimidation.
Officials noted that Sharma is one of 95 observers appointed by the Election Commission to oversee the second phase of polling and ensure its freeness and fairness. Sharma, often labelled an ‘encounter specialist’ and a ‘daredevil’ police officer, was seen in a viral video approaching Khan’s residence. In the video, he was heard warning individuals against resorting to violence and intimidation on polling day.
TMC Accuses Officer of Overstepping, Alleges Bias
In Kolkata, TMC leaders launched a strong attack on the observer and the Election Commission, alleging that the IPS officer was exceeding his designated duties with what they described as ‘direct support’ from the poll body. Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya questioned the presence of a police officer from Uttar Pradesh, asking if he had been granted the authority to arrest individuals without evidence. She emphasized that Election Commission guidelines define observers as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the commission, tasked with observation and reporting, not with executive actions.
Bhattacharya also alluded to past complaints against Sharma involving women, stating that the TMC unequivocally condemns the observer’s actions and intends to file formal complaints with the Election Commission. The TMC leadership expressed their firm belief that the Election Commission is acting as an agent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), questioning the BJP’s motives in their efforts to secure power in Bengal.
Another minister, Aroop Biswas, accused the Election Commission of disregarding its own rules and operating under the ‘BJP’s instructions’. He criticized the deployment of paramilitary personnel and armoured vehicles, likening the situation to a state of war aimed at intimidating voters.
Political Reactions and Social Media Scrutiny
TMC MP Mahua Moitra also joined the fray, sharing archived videos on the social media platform X that appeared to show a man dancing in a nightclub. Tagging the IPS officer, she referred to him as a ‘Fair and Lovely babua’ and commented on his dancing skills relative to his policing abilities. A BJP spokesperson declined to comment on Moitra’s post, suggesting it reflected her own ‘taste’.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also criticized Sharma, labelling him a ‘BJP agent’. Yadav stated that such individuals, posing as officers, would be held accountable for their actions when the time comes, implying they would be tracked down and punished.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
