Nandigram Police Chief Replaced
Election Commission Replaces Nandigram Police Chief Ahead Of High-Stakes Bypoll
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The Election Commission directed that the transfer take effect immediately and required a compliance report by Monday evening. It said state authorities had submitted the replacement proposal on September 30, but did not publicly state why it approved the change.
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Sarkar said he had learned of the appointment while in Nandigram overseeing traffic arrangements for the chief minister’s planned visit to vote, and that he had not yet received a formal order.
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The two constituencies were set to have 71 companies of Central Armed Police Forces deployed—37 in Nandigram and 34 in Rejinagar—alongside 15,119 state police personnel. Election authorities identified 323 booths in Nandigram and 315 in Rejinagar as sensitive.
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Rejinagar’s vacancy followed a separate decision by Humayun Kabir, who won both Rejinagar and Nawada in the 2026 elections and retained Nawada, vacating Rejinagar.
The Election Commission replaced Nandigram's police chief just hours before voting began in a key West Bengal bypoll, citing concerns that the outgoing officer was too close to the ruling party. Deccan Chronicle reported that Ajay Kumar Mishra was swapped out for Debashish Sarkar on the eve of Tuesday's election. The move came after opposition parties complained that Mishra favored the government.
Polling in Nandigram and the neighboring Rejinagar seat opened Tuesday with 71 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and 15,119 state police deployed across both constituencies. Free Press Journal reported early turnout hit 20.89% in Nandigram and 18.05% in Rejinagar by mid-morning, signaling brisk voter interest in the races. Counting is set for October 9.
Police Chief Swap Raises Neutrality Questions
The Election Commission issued the transfer order with no public explanation, though one account suggested state authorities had proposed the change on September 30. Deccan Chronicle noted the directive required immediate effect and a compliance report by Monday evening. Sarkar, the new chief, said he learned of his appointment while arranging traffic for the chief minister's planned voting visit—and had not yet received formal orders.
Opposition Complaints Trigger the Change
Opposition parties had filed complaints that Mishra was biased toward the ruling administration. The Election Commission's decision to replace him—timed just before voting—signaled the body took those concerns seriously enough to act swiftly. The commission did not detail its reasoning in public statements but moved to install what it apparently viewed as a more neutral figure.
Tight Security Deploys Ahead of Voting
Authorities identified 323 booths in Nandigram and 315 in Rejinagar as sensitive locations requiring extra oversight. Free Press Journal reported early voting showed solid participation, with Nandigram hitting 20.89% turnout by mid-morning and Rejinagar at 18.05%. The dual deployment of Central Armed Police Forces and state personnel underscored the election's high-stakes nature in West Bengal politics.
Bypolls Fill Seats Left by Dual Winners
The Nandigram vacancy arose after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari chose to keep his Bhabanipur seat. Sunday Guardian Live reported that the BJP's Hasirani Rath and Congress' Milan Pradhan are competing in a four-way race for Nandigram. Rejinagar opened up separately when Humayun Kabir, who won both that seat and Nawada in 2026, opted to retain Nawada.
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