Kolkata, 08 April (H.S.) : Security cover for senior Congress leader and Baharampur Assembly constituency candidate Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has been enhanced ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections following recent disruptions during his campaign, sources said on Wednesday.
According to insiders, additional Central security personnel, including women officers, have been deployed, with five more personnel joining his security detail on Wednesday.
The move comes days after Chowdhury reportedly faced protests from a section of workers of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress while campaigning in parts of Murshidabad district for two consecutive days.
Chowdhury earlier enjoyed ‘Y Plus’ category Central security during his tenure as a Member of Parliament, with five security personnel assigned to him. Although he lost the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, his security cover was not withdrawn. With the latest enhancement, the number of Central security personnel in his team has reportedly increased from five to ten. In addition, he is also guarded by two personnel from the West Bengal Police.
The decision has triggered political reactions, with Abhishek Banerjee, General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress, alleging at a public meeting in Jalangi that Chowdhury had a tacit understanding with the Centre regarding the continuation of his security cover.
Despite the criticism, the security upgrade has gone ahead.
A leader close to Chowdhury claimed that he had been facing repeated disruptions during his election campaign, including “go back” slogans and protests, including demonstrations by groups of women at certain locations.
On Sunday morning, Chowdhury reportedly faced protests from Trinamool Congress workers at three locations in Berhampore while he was campaigning on foot and interacting with voters. Police and Central forces present at the spot intervened to manage the situation.
He had also faced similar protests a day earlier during another foot campaign.
Following the incidents, the West Bengal Police reportedly initiated disciplinary action against the Inspector-in-Charge of Berhampore police station and began legal proceedings against four Trinamool Congress workers for allegedly obstructing Chowdhury’s campaign activities.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
