The Trinamool Congress has urged the Election Commission of India to replace Jayant Kant, an IPS officer from Bihar, as the police observer for four assembly constituencies in West Bengal’s Malda district. This request stems from Kant’s marital connection to a BJP leader, Smriti Paswan, who aspires to contest elections from Bihar’s Jamui Lok Sabha constituency after joining the BJP in February 2024.
Trinamool Congress argues that a police observer should maintain impartiality, which may be compromised if their spouse is actively involved in a political party. Therefore, the party demands Kant’s removal and replacement with an officer perceived as unbiased. Additionally, the Trinamool Congress has also requested the removal of a new returning officer in Bhabanipur Assembly constituency due to concerns over impartiality.
