Kolkata: The TMC on Friday sought the immediate removal of the returning officer for the Bhabanipur assembly constituency in West Bengal, alleging his proximity to BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari.
In a representation submitted to West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the ruling party raised objections to the appointment of RO for the Bhabanipur seat in southern Kolkata.
The party alleged that the returning officer has a “documented and close association” with senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who is contesting from Bhabanipur against Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.
The complaint said the RO earlier worked as a block development officer in Nandigram-II. The TMC alleged the officer’s closeness to Adhikari appeared during public engagements. The party said this history created a reasonable fear of bias.
The TMC argued that such a perception could weaken trust in the poll process. The TMC also questioned the officer’s current role as additional director of land records. The party said the post is usually held by more senior officers. It claimed the appointment, just before elections, looked like preferential deployment. The letter said this timing raised doubts about a motivated administrative move.
Emphasising the RO’s responsibilities, the TMC said the officer handles nomination scrutiny and polling arrangements. The RO also oversees result declaration, the party said. Because of these duties, the TMC argued the officer must be unimpeachably neutral. The party said even a perceived conflict can harm election fairness.
The representation cited Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act. The TMC said these provisions require the Election Commission to ensure free and fair polls. It also pointed to the Model Code of Conduct and its demand for administrative neutrality. The party alleged the RO’s continuation breached these principles.
The TMC said the Election Commission had already sought three alternative names from the state government. This followed a complaint lodged on March 24, the party noted. The representative said the state sent the panel. It added that no step had been taken to replace the RO so far.
The letter was signed by senior TMC leaders Shashi Panja, Aroop Biswas, and Baiswanor Chattopadhyay. The party called the situation constitutionally untenable and electorally dangerous. It urged immediate, reasoned, and transparent action. The TMC said such action was needed to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
