Suvendu Adhikari Accuses Police Officer of Political Manipulation in West Bengal
Synopsis
In a bold statement, Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, has accused a police officer of attempting to sway a BJP leader to join the Trinamool Congress. This allegation raises concerns about political impartiality and the integrity of law enforcement during elections.
Key Takeaways
Allegations of Political Manipulation: A police officer allegedly attempted to persuade a BJP leader to switch parties.
Importance of Model Code of Conduct: Such actions are deemed inappropriate under current election guidelines.
Potential Consequences: Adhikari warns of escalation to the Election Commission if misconduct continues.
Evidence of Previous Incidents: Video footage exists of similar actions by another police official.
Call for Accountability: Adhikari urges law enforcement to maintain neutrality during elections.
Kolkata, March 20 (NationPress) Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, made serious allegations on Friday against an officer-in-charge at a police station in his home district of East Midnapore. He claimed that the officer made a WhatsApp call to a notable leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the area, urging him to switch allegiance to the Trinamool Congress.
"When the BJP announced its candidate list, a well-known figure from our district, Biswanath Banerjee, was notably absent from the nominations. Following this, the officer-in-charge of Mahishadal Police Station reached out to Banerjee, encouraging him to join the Trinamool Congress. With the model code of conduct currently in effect, such political maneuvers by a police officer are unacceptable," Adhikari stated to reporters.
Prior to addressing the media, LoP Adhikari visited Mahishadal Police Station to confront the officer regarding the allegations. However, the officer was unavailable at the time.
The Leader of the Opposition then spoke to the on-duty officer and requested that the message be relayed to the accused officer-in-charge, advising him to refrain from contacting BJP leaders to persuade them to join the ruling party.
"Today, I issued a courteous warning to the implicated officer. However, if such incidents are repeated, we will escalate the matter to the Election Commission of India (ECI)," Adhikari remarked.
He also highlighted that recently, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Tamluk engaged in similar actions, inviting local BJP leaders to his office and suggesting they run as independent candidates in the upcoming elections.
"We possess video evidence of that occurrence as well. I urge all police officers and staff, including civic volunteers, to avoid jeopardizing their careers by acting on behalf of the ruling party while the model code of conduct is in place. They must remember that their salaries are funded by the state and not by any political entity or its campaign strategies," the LoP emphasized.
Point of View
This situation underscores a pressing concern regarding the intersection of law enforcement and political influence. Allegations such as these could undermine the democratic process and the integrity of elections, necessitating scrutiny and accountability.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What allegations did Suvendu Adhikari make?
Suvendu Adhikari accused a police officer of trying to persuade a BJP leader to join the Trinamool Congress through a WhatsApp call.
What is the model code of conduct?
The model code of conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections, restricting political activities by public officials.
What actions did Adhikari threaten to take?
Adhikari warned that if similar incidents occur, he would escalate the matter to the Election Commission of India.
Are there any video evidences of misconduct?
Yes, Adhikari mentioned that they have video evidence of a similar incident involving the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Tamluk.
Why is this issue significant?
This issue raises serious concerns about the impartiality of law enforcement during elections and the potential misuse of power by police officials.
