Bengal LoP sends objection to EC over state's IPS list for posting as 'police observers' in other states

West Bengal’s Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has raised concerns with the Election Commission over the list of IPS officers proposed by the state for posting in other states as “Police Observers” during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He alleges that the names chosen have unbiased images from past elections.

Adhikari stated, “It has come to my knowledge, through reliable sources, that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has prepared a list of IPS officers and submitted it to the Election Commission for getting them posted in other states as Police Observers during the time of Lok Sabha Elections.”

He pointed out that these officers had been involved in election duties in 2019 and 2021 after replacing officers with complaints against them. Adhikari urges the EC to reject the list as the officers might not be present in the state if they are needed for any responsibilities.

Furthermore, Adhikari has provided a list of IPS officers, from the rank of Director General to Superintendent of Police, proposed by the state government for assignments as “police observers” in other states. The authenticity of the list and the intentions behind it have come under scrutiny in light of the upcoming elections in West Bengal.