Agar badmashi kari... : Encounter specialist on poll duty warns Trinamool candidate
Election observer Ajay Pal Sharma warned Jehangir Khan's relatives after complaints of voter intimidation in Falta. He also sought an explanation after finding more police personnel than those sanctioned for the candidate's security.
West Bengal’s election campaign saw high drama after an IPS officer on poll duty issued a blunt warning to a TMC candidate over alleged voter intimidation, even as questions emerged over his security cover. Ajay Pal Sharma, known as an encounter specialist, is currently deployed as a police observer in the state for election duty.
Sharma reached the area following complaints from residents that Jehangir Khan of the All India Trinamool Congress was allegedly threatening voters in the Falta constituency.
When Sharma arrived, Khan was not present. Locals and even the local police did not initially disclose the location of his residence. During a search, Sharma and his team traced the house and reached the spot.
‘AGAR BADMASHI KARI...’
Addressing Khan’s relatives at the residence, Sharma issued a stern warning. “Make sure he understands. If there are complaints of people being threatened, we will deal with it properly. If anyone indulges in wrongdoing or tries to harass voters, we will take strict action,” he said.
“Tell Jehangir that repeated complaints are coming that his people are threatening others. If that continues, we will take it up seriously. There should be no complaints later,” he added.
SECURITY COVER UNDER QUESTION
At the residence, Sharma found 14 West Bengal Police personnel deployed.
When he sought details from the local Superintendent of Police, he was informed that Khan had been given Y-category security with 10 personnel assigned.
Sharma pointed out the discrepancy and issued a notice seeking an explanation for the additional deployment.
POLITICAL WAR OF WORDS
The development triggered a sharp political slugfest, with both the BJP and the Trinamool trading accusations over the officer’s conduct and neutrality.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya backed Sharma’s actions, saying the officer had “set the tone” by firmly warning the family members of a close aide of Abhishek Banerjee.
“The message is loud and clear: the era of intimidation and impunity is over. Law and order will prevail, and those attempting to influence the electoral process will be held accountable,” Malviya said.
The All India Trinamool Congress, however, launched a scathing attack on Sharma, questioning both his appointment and his past record. In a strongly worded statement, the party alleged that the officer had been “parachuted in” by the Election Commission and described him as someone whose reputation was built on controversial “encounters”.
The party also cited past allegations against Sharma, including his removal from Rampur in 2020 and an internal probe into an alleged cash-for-postings racket. It further referred to an FIR accusing him of criminal misconduct, claiming such an officer’s deployment raises “serious concerns” about neutrality in the poll process.
In a pointed warning, the Trinamool said that any conduct “unbecoming of a neutral observer” would invite consequences, adding: “Bengal is no Uttar Pradesh.”
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also weighed in, alleging that the BJP had sent “tested agents” to West Bengal in the guise of observers. In a post in Hindi, Yadav claimed such efforts would not succeed and asserted that “Didi will remain,” backing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
He further warned that, at the “right time”, there would be a thorough investigation into the alleged actions of such officials and “strict legal punishment” for wrongdoing, calling them “agents of a political agenda” and “criminals of democracy”.
POLL TENSIONS RISE
The incident has added to the already tense political atmosphere in West Bengal, with authorities under pressure to ensure a free and fair election.
Officials have indicated that any complaints of intimidation or attempts to influence voters will be acted upon strictly as the campaign intensifies.
West Bengal’s election campaign saw high drama after an IPS officer on poll duty issued a blunt warning to a TMC candidate over alleged voter intimidation, even as questions emerged over his security cover. Ajay Pal Sharma, known as an encounter specialist, is currently deployed as a police observer in the state for election duty.
Sharma reached the area following complaints from residents that Jehangir Khan of the All India Trinamool Congress was allegedly threatening voters in the Falta constituency.
When Sharma arrived, Khan was not present. Locals and even the local police did not initially disclose the location of his residence. During a search, Sharma and his team traced the house and reached the spot.
‘AGAR BADMASHI KARI...’
Addressing Khan’s relatives at the residence, Sharma issued a stern warning. “Make sure he understands. If there are complaints of people being threatened, we will deal with it properly. If anyone indulges in wrongdoing or tries to harass voters, we will take strict action,” he said.
“Tell Jehangir that repeated complaints are coming that his people are threatening others. If that continues, we will take it up seriously. There should be no complaints later,” he added.
SECURITY COVER UNDER QUESTION
At the residence, Sharma found 14 West Bengal Police personnel deployed.
When he sought details from the local Superintendent of Police, he was informed that Khan had been given Y-category security with 10 personnel assigned.
Sharma pointed out the discrepancy and issued a notice seeking an explanation for the additional deployment.
POLITICAL WAR OF WORDS
The development triggered a sharp political slugfest, with both the BJP and the Trinamool trading accusations over the officer’s conduct and neutrality.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya backed Sharma’s actions, saying the officer had “set the tone” by firmly warning the family members of a close aide of Abhishek Banerjee.
“The message is loud and clear: the era of intimidation and impunity is over. Law and order will prevail, and those attempting to influence the electoral process will be held accountable,” Malviya said.
The All India Trinamool Congress, however, launched a scathing attack on Sharma, questioning both his appointment and his past record. In a strongly worded statement, the party alleged that the officer had been “parachuted in” by the Election Commission and described him as someone whose reputation was built on controversial “encounters”.
The party also cited past allegations against Sharma, including his removal from Rampur in 2020 and an internal probe into an alleged cash-for-postings racket. It further referred to an FIR accusing him of criminal misconduct, claiming such an officer’s deployment raises “serious concerns” about neutrality in the poll process.
In a pointed warning, the Trinamool said that any conduct “unbecoming of a neutral observer” would invite consequences, adding: “Bengal is no Uttar Pradesh.”
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also weighed in, alleging that the BJP had sent “tested agents” to West Bengal in the guise of observers. In a post in Hindi, Yadav claimed such efforts would not succeed and asserted that “Didi will remain,” backing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
He further warned that, at the “right time”, there would be a thorough investigation into the alleged actions of such officials and “strict legal punishment” for wrongdoing, calling them “agents of a political agenda” and “criminals of democracy”.
POLL TENSIONS RISE
The incident has added to the already tense political atmosphere in West Bengal, with authorities under pressure to ensure a free and fair election.
Officials have indicated that any complaints of intimidation or attempts to influence voters will be acted upon strictly as the campaign intensifies.
