The Election Commission pulled a late-night personnel shuffle in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district, replacing the officer-in-charge of Nandigram police station just 24 hours before voting begins. Debashis Sarkar, currently the traffic inspector in Tamluk and head of the Cyber Crime unit, steps in for Ajay Kumar Mishra. A senior official confirmed the move, which landed right before the critical Tuesday bypoll.
The swap was triggered by formal complaints from opposition parties alleging Mishra was too close to the ruling TMC. Mishra had been posted to Nandigram specifically ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The interference highlights the fragile trust in local law enforcement during high-stakes state elections.
Sarkar said he learned of the transfer while arranging traffic for Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who is scheduled to cast his vote in the constituency tomorrow. “I have just heard the news. I have not received the order copy yet,” Sarkar told reporters. Adhikari vacated Nandigram after retaining the Bhabanipur seat in south Kolkata.
The bypoll also covers the Rejinagar constituency, which fell vacant when MLA Humayun Kabir retained his Naoda seat. Both counts are scheduled for October 9. The changes underscore the Election Commission’s sensitivity to local political dynamics in West Bengal.