CRPF DG, Election Observer inspect Bengal poll booths amid TMC-BJP tensions
Synopsis
With the CRPF DG personally on the ground and a 'Singham'-tagged IPS officer conducting booth inspections, the Election Commission is signalling zero tolerance in Bengal's most volatile districts. Early incidents at Bhabanipur and Rashbehari — involving Mamata Banerjee's brother and allegations of TMC booth-blocking — show the second phase is already testing that resolve.
Key Takeaways
Singh arrived in Diamond Harbour on 29 April 2026 to coordinate with Election Observer Ajay Pal Sharma .
Voting is underway across 142 constituencies in six districts of West Bengal; turnout stood at 18.39% by 9 am .
Kartik Banerjee , brother of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee , was cautioned by central forces for assembling near a polling station with more than the permitted number of persons.
Congress alleged TMC activists blocked its booth agents from entering a polling booth in the Rashbehari constituency.
PM Narendra Modi urged voters in West Bengal's 142 constituencies to turn out in record numbers, with a special appeal to women and youth.
Sharma's deployment to South 24 Parganas — a TMC stronghold with a 36% Muslim population — reflects the ECI's hardline stance on poll violence.
CRPF Director General G.P. Singh arrived in Diamond Harbour on Wednesday, 29 April to coordinate with Election Observer Ajay Pal Sharma as the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 got underway across 142 constituencies in six districts. Sharma has been conducting rigorous inspections of polling booths as part of a high-stakes effort to ensure free and fair elections in one of India's most contested electoral battlegrounds.
Who Is Ajay Pal Sharma and Why His Presence Matters
Ajay Pal Sharma, a 2011-batch IPS officer and a native of Ludhiana, has earned a formidable reputation for his uncompromising policing style, reportedly earning him the moniker of Uttar Pradesh's 'Singham'. His appointment to the sensitive South 24 Parganas region — a Trinamool Congress (TMC) stronghold with a 36 per cent Muslim population — signals the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s firm intent to maintain order in what has historically been one of Bengal's most volatile districts.
A viral video surfaced showing Sharma, described as an
Point of View
Or whether it merely displaces them.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did CRPF DG G.P. Singh visit Diamond Harbour on 29 April?
CRPF Director General G.P. Singh visited Diamond Harbour on 29 April 2026 to coordinate with Election Observer Ajay Pal Sharma on security arrangements for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. The visit is part of a broader effort to ensure free and fair polling across 142 constituencies.
Who is Election Observer Ajay Pal Sharma?
Ajay Pal Sharma is a 2011-batch IPS officer from Ludhiana, known for his strict policing style and reportedly nicknamed Uttar Pradesh's 'Singham'. He has been appointed Election Observer for the sensitive South 24 Parganas district and has been conducting booth inspections to deter voter intimidation.
What happened at the Bhabanipur constituency on polling day?
Kartik Banerjee, the brother of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was cautioned by central forces for assembling near a polling station with more companions than the permitted limit of four persons at a time. Bhabanipur is witnessing a high-profile contest between Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
What allegations were made in the Rashbehari constituency?
The Congress alleged that ruling Trinamool Congress activists prevented its booth agents from entering a polling booth in the Rashbehari Assembly constituency in South Kolkata. Congress described the incident as 'hooliganism' by TMC workers.
What was the voter turnout in West Bengal's second phase by 9 am?
Voter turnout in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections was recorded at 18.39% by 9 am on 29 April 2026. Polling began at 7 am across 142 constituencies in six districts, including Kolkata.
