EC replaces observer in Nandigram amid bias allegations ahead of polls

The Election Commission has replaced the Police Observer for the Nandigram Assembly constituency in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district, just two days before the polls in this significant seat. The announcement was made by a senior official of the poll panel on Tuesday.

Hitesh Choudhury, who previously served as the police observer for Nandigram, has been replaced by Akhilesh Singh, a former CBI official based in Kolkata and currently the Inspector General in Assam. This change follows allegations of bias levelled against the Officer-in-Charge of the Nandigram Police Station by the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The TMC, in a letter to the police observer on Monday, claimed that complaints filed by party workers against BJP members were not being addressed. The ruling party sought immediate intervention from the police observer, which led to the prompt decision to replace the observer.

The Election Commission has assigned 84 police observers across West Bengal, with each officer responsible for overseeing law and order in multiple constituencies during the elections. Previously, the poll panel had also replaced observers in Malda and Jangipur.

Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Mamata Banerjee from Nandigram in the last Assembly elections, will be facing Pabitra Kar this time. Nandigram is one of the most politically sensitive constituencies, as the uprising there played a significant role in ending the over-three-decade-long rule of the Left in the state, handing Trinamool Congress the reins of Bengal.

The elections for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly are scheduled to occur in two phases on April 23 and 29, with vote counting set for May 4.