TMC MP moves Calcutta High Court over transfer of IAS, IPS officers by Election Commission
Elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases
TMC MP and senior lawyer Kalyan Banerjee on Friday moved the Calcutta High Court questioning the Election Commission’s transfer order of several IAS and IPS officers in West Bengal soon after the announcement of Assembly polls in the state.
The transfers were ordered shortly after the announcement of the election schedule, triggering accusations of undue interference in the state's administration.
Notably, within hours of the Election Commission's notification, Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty and Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena were shifted from their posts. Subsequently, the Director-General of Police (DGP) Peeyush Pandey and Kolkata Commissioner of Police Supratim Sarkar were also removed from their positions.
The TMC leadership has strongly criticised EC’s action, alleging that the transfers were orchestrated at the behest of the BJP to influence the outcome of the upcoming elections. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in particular, voiced her concerns over the transfers. She alleged that senior administrative and police officers were being shifted to undermine the state's governance and create an unfair advantage in favour of the Opposition.
The elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases -- on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
