Kolkata, 06 April (H.S.): Amid the ongoing campaign for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again questioned the neutrality of the Election Commission. Apart from alleging proximity between the Commission and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she also expressed suspicion about a possible understanding involving the Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M.K. Stalin.

Addressing an election rally at Nakashipara in Nadia district on Monday, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo alleged that the large-scale transfer of officials from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu had raised serious questions about the intent behind such decisions.

She questioned why there appeared to be such a strong administrative linkage with Tamil Nadu during the election period and suggested that it created doubts about a possible internal understanding involving the Congress and Stalin.

Banerjee alleged that a significant number of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers had been shifted during the election period with the intention of weakening the state administration. She reiterated her earlier objections to such transfers and questioned the rationale behind them.

She further claimed that while a large number of officers had been removed from election-related duties in West Bengal, similar action had not been taken in other poll-bound states. According to her, out of 510 officials removed from observer-related responsibilities, nearly 500 were from West Bengal, while only about 10 were from the remaining states and one Union Territory combined.

During her speech, Banerjee also referred to the transfer of former Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar. She criticised the decision, mentioning his personal circumstances, and questioned whether humanitarian considerations were taken into account while issuing such transfer orders.

It may be noted that Assembly elections are being held in four states and one Union Territory along with West Bengal. Banerjee alleged that the scale of administrative reshuffling seen in West Bengal was not witnessed elsewhere, raising concerns about the fairness of the process.

Political observers believe that such exchanges of allegations are likely to further intensify the political atmosphere as the state moves closer to polling. The Election Commission has not yet issued any official response to the allegations.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh