Election Commission Reshuffles Key Officials Ahead of West Bengal Assembly Elections
Major Changes in West Bengal's Police Leadership
Following the announcement of the Assembly election schedule in West Bengal, the Election Commission took decisive action by removing the state's director general of police and the Kolkata police commissioner. This decision was made public on Monday.
Indian Police Service officer Siddh Nath Gupta has been appointed as the new director general of police, succeeding Peeyush Pandey, according to reports from an unnamed official.
In addition, Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar has been replaced by Ajay Kumar Nand.
Natarajan Ramesh Babu has also been designated as the director general of correctional services, while Ajay Mukund Ranade will serve as the additional director general for law and order, as reported by a local media outlet.
Earlier, the Election Commission had removed Nandini Chakraborty from her role as chief secretary, appointing Dushyant Nariala in her stead. Furthermore, Jagdish Prasad Meena, the home secretary, has been replaced by Sanghamitra Ghosh.
The Election Commission has mandated that these changes be implemented immediately, requiring the state government to submit a compliance report by 3 PM on the same day.
Officials who have been reassigned are prohibited from taking on any election-related roles until the elections conclude.
The West Bengal elections are scheduled to occur in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with results expected to be announced on May 4.
Trinamool Congress Protests in Rajya Sabha
On the same day, members of the Trinamool Congress staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha to protest the Election Commission's decision to remove top officials in West Bengal, shortly after the election schedule was revealed.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien raised the issue before the Zero Hour, stating that the chief secretary, principal secretary, and home secretary were removed in the early hours by the Election Commission.
O’Brien acknowledged the Commission's authority to make such decisions but expressed concern over potential misuse of power, likening it to arbitrary judgments about attire.
He declared that the Trinamool Congress would walk out in protest against the actions of the chief election commissioner.
Trinamool intervenes, registers protest in Rajya Sabha, walks out
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) March 16, 2026
VIDEO
"In the dead of night, the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Home Secretary of Bengal were removed by the Election Commission
EC have all the power to do it. They can (misuse their power). I am wearing… pic.twitter.com/uDLYegkOSY