Kolkata, March 16: West Bengal’s administrative landscape saw a significant transformation on Monday as the Election Commission replaced several high-ranking officials to oversee the state’s electoral process. The poll panel removed the state’s Home Secretary and the Kolkata Police Commissioner just hours after the election dates were finalized.
The commission stated that the reshuffle is intended to maintain a level playing field during the voting process. Among the most notable changes is the removal of Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty, who has been replaced by Dushyant Nariala. The poll body asserted that Chakravorty must remain distanced from any election-related duties for the duration of the cycle.
The leadership of the state police also saw a total transition. Siddh Nath Gupta has been named the Director General and Inspector General of Police in-charge, succeeding Peeyush Pandey. In the capital, Ajay Kumar Nand has assumed the role of Kolkata Police Commissioner.
“The orders must be implemented immediately,” a commission official noted, adding that the state was required to confirm the changes by Monday afternoon.
The directive also placed Sanghamitra Ghosh in charge of the Home and Hill Affairs department, taking over from Jagdish Prasad Meena. Other key assignments included the posting of Ajay Mukund Ranade as the Additional Director General for Law and Order.
This move arrives amid a period of transition for the state as it heads toward the April polls. While the administration has previously shared views regarding the poll body’s procedures, the commission maintained that these steps were vital for election readiness. The poll panel further directed that all outgoing officers be kept away from any sensitive assignments until the final votes are counted on May 4.
