Trinamool Congress Urges ECI to Dismiss Bihar BJP Leader's Spouse from Police Observership in West Bengal
Synopsis
In a significant political move, the Trinamool Congress has reached out to the ECI, requesting the removal of Jayant Kant as a police observer in Malda due to his connection with a BJP leader, raising concerns over impartiality.
Key Takeaways
Trinamool Congress has lodged a formal request with the ECI to remove Jayant Kant.
Kant's connection to a BJP leader raises questions about impartiality.
Smriti Paswan, Kant's wife, is an active BJP member.
The integrity of election oversight is crucial in minority-dominated areas.
The party is also addressing other potential biases in the electoral process.
Kolkata, March 25 (NationPress) The Trinamool Congress has formally approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) to request the dismissal of Jayant Kant, an officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) belonging to the Bihar cadre, from his role as the Commission-appointed police observer for four assembly constituencies in the minority-majority Malda district of West Bengal. This request arises from the fact that he is married to a leader of the BJP from Bihar.
A letter was submitted to the ECI by Derek O’Brien, a member of the national working committee of the Trinamool Congress and a Rajya Sabha MP, advocating for Kant's removal.
According to a Trinamool Congress representative, the letter asserts that Kant’s spouse, Smriti Paswan, not only holds a position within the BJP but also identifies herself as a 'loyal soldier' of the party. She has openly shown interest in contesting elections from the Jamui Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar.
Smriti Paswan had joined the BJP during an event in Patna in February 2024.
The Trinamool leader emphasized that individuals assigned as police observers must maintain an image free from bias. They argued that it would be untenable for someone whose spouse is actively involved in a political organization to fulfill their responsibilities as a police observer impartially, thus advocating for his removal from this duty.
The Trinamool Congress has insisted that Kant be taken off his role as police observer and relieved of any election-related responsibilities. The party has urged the ECI to appoint an officer with a clear and unbiased reputation in his place.
Earlier in the day, the Trinamool Congress also sought the immediate ousting of the newly appointed returning officer (RO) for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, representing the Trinamool, is contesting against the BJP's Suvendu Adhikari.
The party contended that the officer in question is a close ally of the Leader of Opposition and operates under his guidance, making it improbable for him to carry out his election-related tasks without bias.
Point of View
The action taken by the Trinamool Congress reflects a strategic attempt to ensure impartiality in electoral oversight. The allegations raise important questions about the potential conflicts of interest that can arise in politically charged environments.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the Trinamool Congress to approach the ECI?
The Trinamool Congress sought the ECI's intervention to remove Jayant Kant from his role as police observer due to his marriage to a BJP leader, raising concerns about his impartiality.
What is the significance of Malda district in this context?
Malda district is known for its minority-majority demographic, making the integrity of its election oversight particularly crucial.
Who is Smriti Paswan?
Smriti Paswan is a BJP member and the wife of Jayant Kant, who has expressed intentions to contest elections from the Jamui Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar.
What other actions did the Trinamool Congress take related to the elections?
The party also demanded the removal of the newly appointed returning officer for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, citing bias due to the officer's close ties with the Leader of Opposition.
