Photo credit: IANS NEW DELHI: Announcing a major shake-up in West Bengal’s administrative and police brass within hours of announcing the poll schedule, the Election Commission ordered the immediate replacement of the state state chief secretary, director general of police (DGP), principal secretary (home) and Kolkata police commissioner, among others.EC’s overriding powers to shift officers directly engaged in the conduct of polls, stem from Article 324 of the Constitution, which places the entire poll machinery in an election-going state/UT under its “superintendence, direction and control” during the preparation of the electoral roll and conduct of elections to Parliament and state legislatures. West Bengal chief secretary Nandini Chakraborty was shunted out late on Sunday night along with principal secretary (home) Jagdish Prasad Meena. Both are seen close to the ruling party in the state. EC ordered that Dushyant Nariala, an IAS officer of 1993 batch be posted as chief secretary with immediate effect, and Sanghamitra Ghosh, an IAS officer of 1997 batch, as principal secretary, home and hill affairs.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran calls Israeli bombing of fuel depots ‘ecocide’; Trump warns Nato over war falloutMajor fire breaks out at Dubai International Airport after drone strike; flights suspended — Watch’We’ll remember’: Trump asks 7 countries to send warships to police Strait of HormuzOn Monday afternoon followed another set of transfers in the higher echelons of West Bengal police. DGP Peeyush Pandey was shunted out and 1992 batch IPS officer SIddh Nath Gupta brought in his place. Kolkata police commissioner Supratim Sarkar was replaced by Ajay Kumar Nand, IPS officer of 1996 batch. “Chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had, in the EC press conference on Sunday, assured that elections in West Bengal would be violence-free and peaceful. In pursuance of this objective, the EC has appointed/transferred senior police officials of the state, including the DGP and Kolkata police commissioner,” a senior EC official told TOI. Also making a change in the crucial post of ADG and IGP, law and order — with a direct role in curbing political clashes and violence as well as judicious deployment of security forces for poll security — the EC replaced the incumbent with 1995 batch IPS officer Ajay Mukund Ranade. Natarajan Ramesh Babu, a 1991 batch IPS officer, was ordered to be posted as DG, correctional services. The transfers — which are not unusual as EC has similarly replaced top officers in West Bengal during past Lok Sabha and assembly polls — evoked sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress in Parliament. TMC MP Derek O’ Brien announced a day-long walkout by the party MPs from Rajya Sabha in protest, even as parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju underlined that the poll panel had the constitutional authority to do so and alleged that the TMC has made it a habit to attack all constitutional bodies. About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosLPG Crisis Sparks Rajya Sabha Clash As Kharge Targets Govt And Nadda Hits Back In ParliamentTMC Stages Walkout Over Election Commission’s Move To Replace West Bengal BureaucratsUS Hints At India’s Role In Coalition To Secure Strait Of Hormuz During Escalating CrisisFire Breaks Out In Cuttack SCB Medical College ICU, CM Orders Judicial ProbeNo Secret Arrangement With Iran For Tanker Passage Through Strait Of Hormuz, Says Jaishankar37 Rajya Sabha Seats Go To Polls Today; Key Leaders Nitish Kumar, Nitin Nabin ContestDiscussed Ways To Fast-Track EU FTA With S Jaishankar: Piyush GoyalIndian Vessel ‘Jag Laadki’ Escapes Unhurt After Attack At Fujairah Oil TerminalSTF Arrests Man Who Helped Bangladeshi Murder Suspects Sneak Into India After Dhaka KillingRahul Gandhi Writes To PM Modi, Demands Bharat Ratna For BSP Founder Kanshi Ram123PhotostoriesSpring Energy 2026: What changes may come into your life based on your birth date5 most luxurious Rolls-Royce cars ever builtWhen the heart sends a warning: How to respond to cardiac emergencies6 traditional tips to make regular Dal Chawal nutrition-denseTimothée Chalamet to Amy Madigan: Worst-dressed celebrities at the Oscars 2026This ‘one’ special feature of traditional Indian homes is missing now and why it needs to make a comeback‘Field of Dreams’ to ‘The Hunt’: Amy Madigan’s films to watch after historic 2026 Oscar win for ‘Weapons’Oscars 2026: Where to stream ‘One Battle After Another,’ ‘Sinners,’ ‘Weapons’, ‘Hamnet’ and other winning titles online7 loyal dog breeds that watch over kids like little guardiansOscars 2026: 7 best-dressed men who totally broke the internet and stole the red carpet!123Hot PicksUS Iran War NewsLPG crisis in IndiaElection CommissionGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingSidney CrosbyDak PrescottAlbert Pujols and Nicole Fernandez Net WorthTaylor SwiftNFL Free AgencyKevin O’LearyAssembly election dateStephen CurryGolden State Warriors vs New York Knicks Injury ReportUAE Port Attack
NEW DELHI: Announcing a major shake-up in West Bengal’s administrative and police brass within hours of announcing the poll schedule, the Election Commission ordered the immediate replacement of the state state chief secretary, director general of police (DGP), principal secretary (home) and Kolkata police commissioner, among others.EC’s overriding powers to shift officers directly engaged in the conduct of polls, stem from Article 324 of the Constitution, which places the entire poll machinery in an election-going state/UT under its “superintendence, direction and control” during the preparation of the electoral roll and conduct of elections to Parliament and state legislatures. West Bengal chief secretary Nandini Chakraborty was shunted out late on Sunday night along with principal secretary (home) Jagdish Prasad Meena. Both are seen close to the ruling party in the state. EC ordered that Dushyant Nariala, an IAS officer of 1993 batch be posted as chief secretary with immediate effect, and Sanghamitra Ghosh, an IAS officer of 1997 batch, as principal secretary, home and hill affairs.On Monday afternoon followed another set of transfers in the higher echelons of West Bengal police. DGP Peeyush Pandey was shunted out and 1992 batch IPS officer SIddh Nath Gupta brought in his place. Kolkata police commissioner Supratim Sarkar was replaced by Ajay Kumar Nand, IPS officer of 1996 batch. “Chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had, in the EC press conference on Sunday, assured that elections in West Bengal would be violence-free and peaceful. In pursuance of this objective, the EC has appointed/transferred senior police officials of the state, including the DGP and Kolkata police commissioner,” a senior EC official told TOI. Also making a change in the crucial post of ADG and IGP, law and order — with a direct role in curbing political clashes and violence as well as judicious deployment of security forces for poll security — the EC replaced the incumbent with 1995 batch IPS officer Ajay Mukund Ranade. Natarajan Ramesh Babu, a 1991 batch IPS officer, was ordered to be posted as DG, correctional services. The transfers — which are not unusual as EC has similarly replaced top officers in West Bengal during past Lok Sabha and assembly polls — evoked sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress in Parliament. TMC MP Derek O’ Brien announced a day-long walkout by the party MPs from Rajya Sabha in protest, even as parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju underlined that the poll panel had the constitutional authority to do so and alleged that the TMC has made it a habit to attack all constitutional bodies.
