The Trinamool Congress has written to the Chief Election Commissioner alleging political bias by poll officials in West Bengal, including Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, towards the BJP. The letter, signed by four party Rajya Sabha members, raised concerns about Agarwal being accompanied by a local BJP leader during an official visit to Nandigram.
The BJP’s candidate from Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, was highlighted in the letter. It pointed out the presence of a BJP-affiliated individual alongside the Chief Electoral Officer, questioning the independence of the election administration process.
Accusations were also made against another officer, Surajit Roy, who had a visible association with Suvendu Adhikari and was appointed as the returning officer for Nandigram Assembly Constituency. The Trinamool Congress expressed concerns over the impartiality of the electoral process due to such close links between election officials and political figures.
The letter further listed Election Commission of India-appointed poll officers allegedly connected to BJP leaders, raising doubts about the neutrality of the election management process. It urged the Election Commission to address the issue promptly and ensure that all electoral officers and observers maintain impartiality in both perception and reality.
