New Delhi, Mar 16 (PTI) Election Commission officials on Monday said the top-level shake-up in the West Bengal civil and police administration was in line with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s assurance to hold free and fair polls in the state.
The EC removed the state chief secretary, police chief, Kolkata police commissioner and others, and has appointed new officials as their replacements, drawing sharp criticism from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal.
The EC has also told the state government that the shunted-out officers should not be given any election-related assignment.
The assembly polls will be held in the state on April 23 and 29, and votes will be counted on May 4.
“In his press conference on Sunday, CEC Kumar assured that the elections in West Bengal would be inducement-free, violence-free and peaceful. In line with the objective, EC appoints and transfers senior police officials, including the DGP and Kolkata CP,” a functionary said.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led TMC called the reshuffle of senior administrative and police officials a “panic reaction by a party that realises it cannot win elections through democratic means”, while the opposition BJP and CPI(M) hailed it as a “step towards free and fair polls”.
After the announcement of the poll schedule for West Bengal, the EC removed Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty, Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena, DGP Peeyush Pandey and Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar.
It said the removed officials would not be given poll-related assignments. The poll panel said the decision was taken following a review of the poll preparedness of the state. PTI NAB RT
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.