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Deployment of IPS Ajay Pal Sharma as West Bengal observer sparks row; TMC, Akhilesh accuse BJP of planting agents
The deployment of IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma as an observer in West Bengal ahead of the second voting round has triggered a political row. The BJP and Election Commission say he is there to ensure free and fair voting, while the Trinamool Congress and Akhilesh Yadav allege the move is intended to plant agents to intimidate voters and tilt the results. Sharma is claimed by the ruling party to be booked for several offences.
Why It Matters
It signals heightened political tension in West Bengal amid a critical phase of voting, with accusations of manipulation and the use of security personnel in the election process.
Timeline
1 Event
Observer deployment in West Bengal triggers political row
April 28, 2026
The BJP and the Election Commission say IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma has been sent to West Bengal as an 'observer' to ensure 'free and fair voting' during the state's second round of voting. The Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav reject the move, accusing the BJP of deploying agents to intimidate voters and tilt the outcome. The ruling party states that Sharma has been booked for criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy, and tampering with crucial evidence. On social media, Yadav criticized Sharma's deployment, citing a 'dark record' and a 'thok-do attitude', and promised a thorough probe into the alleged activities of these 'agents' with strict punitive action.