Election Commission Reshuffles Top West Bengal Officials Ahead of Assembly Polls

Following the announcement of West Bengal's assembly election schedule for April 23 and 29, the Election Commission of India ordered a major administrative reshuffle to ensure electoral neutrality. It removed Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena, appointing Dushyant Nariala and Sanghamitra Ghosh respectively. The Commission also transferred senior police officials, including DGP Peeyush Pandey and Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar, replacing them with Siddh Nath Gupta and Ajay Kumar Nand. All transferred officers are barred from election-related duties until polls conclude, with compliance reports due by March 16. The moves followed a review of poll preparedness and have drawn political reactions, including protests from the ruling party.