Political slugfest erupts in Delhi over Election Commission’s move to transfer Chief Secretary, DGP in poll-bound Bengal

Political tensions rise in Delhi as the Election Commission's transfers of West Bengal officials spark accusations of bias and manipulation.

The Election Commission of India’s (ECI) move to transfer West Bengal’s Chief Secretary and DGP soon after the announcement of Assembly poll dates triggered a political slugfest on Monday (March 16, 2026).

While the opposition parties accused the poll panel of acting at the behest of the BJP at the Centre, the saffron party hit back, alleging that the opposition was attempting to malign constitutional institutions.

Speaking to reporters inside the Parliament House complex, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that officers are routinely removed in States where the BJP is not in power.

“Whenever elections are held, and if the State Government is not run by the party ruling in Delhi, the first thing they do is remove the DGP and the chief secretary. BJP leaders must have deliberately got these officers removed by coordinating with the Central Government and the Election Commission,” he alleged.

Referring to Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP is in power, Mr. Yadav questioned why similar action had not been taken there during elections.

“In Uttar Pradesh, the DGP was never removed during elections. Despite several complaints to the Election Commission, no action was taken. Even officers whose family members were contesting elections were not removed,” Mr. Yadav said, alleging that the poll body was acting at the BJP’s behest.