Suvendu Adhikari Alleges Covert Police Surveillance During Bhabanipur Campaign
Synopsis
Suvendu Adhikari claims that undercover officers are shadowing him during his campaign against Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur. He has reached out to the Chief Election Commissioner, labeling the actions as state-sponsored voter intimidation.
Key Takeaways
Suvendu Adhikari alleges covert police surveillance during his campaign.
He is competing against Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur Assembly elections.
Adhikari has requested the Chief Election Commissioner to take action against involved officers.
Polling for Bhabanipur is on April 29 .
Concerns about voter intimidation have surfaced due to these allegations.
Kolkata, April 6 (NationPress) Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, has alleged that the Kolkata Police have assigned undercover officers to monitor him during his campaign for the Bhabanipur Assembly seat in South Kolkata. He is facing off against the candidate from the Trinamool Congress and the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee.
Adhikari has communicated via email to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), naming three police officials, including a ranking inspector, who are purportedly involved in this surveillance at the behest of the ruling Trinamool Congress.
He claims that this shadowing operation is being overseen by Inspector Nirupam Dutta, the additional officer-in-charge of Kalighat Police Station. The two undercover officers mentioned by Adhikari are assistant sub-inspector Biswajit Mondal from Kalighat Police Station and Farikh Bakshi, a watch constable from the Kolkata Police's Special Branch.
During his door-to-door campaign in Bhabanipur, Adhikari asserts that the undercover officers recorded the addresses and identities of every voter who interacted with him, presumably to intimidate them later.
"This constitutes state-sponsored voter intimidation and significantly hampers the integrity of free and fair elections. The TMC must realize that such tactics are ineffective now. The era of their authoritarianism is coming to an end. The voters of Bhabanipur, similar to those across West Bengal, will respond decisively to the Trinamool Congress," Adhikari stated.
In his message to the CEC, he urged immediate action to place all officers involved in this surveillance under scrutiny.
Suvendu Adhikari is concurrently contesting from both Bhabanipur and his home constituency of Nandigram in East Midnapore, where he has served as an MLA twice—first from 2016 to 2021 with the Trinamool Congress and then from 2021 onwards with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
While polling in Nandigram is scheduled for April 23, Bhabanipur will vote on April 29, with results set to be announced on May 4.
Point of View
The allegations made by Suvendu Adhikari highlight significant concerns regarding electoral fairness and the role of law enforcement in political campaigns. The emergence of such claims, particularly involving influential political figures, warrants careful investigation and response to ensure democratic principles are upheld.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Suvendu Adhikari accuse the Kolkata Police of?
Suvendu Adhikari accused the Kolkata Police of deploying undercover officers to shadow him during his campaign for the Bhabanipur Assembly seat.
Who is Suvendu Adhikari running against in Bhabanipur?
He is contesting against the Trinamool Congress candidate and Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee.
What action did Adhikari take regarding his allegations?
He sent an email to the Chief Election Commissioner requesting immediate intervention against the police officers involved in the shadowing.
When will polling take place in Bhabanipur?
Polling in Bhabanipur is scheduled for April 29.
What is the significance of these allegations?
These allegations highlight concerns about state-sponsored voter intimidation and the integrity of the electoral process.
