NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh launched a scathing attack on IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, popularly known as 'Singham', on Sunday, demanding his suspension over alleged massive rigging in West Bengal's Falta Assembly constituency.
Ghosh's allegations
"If there was huge rigging in Falta, what were they doing on election day? What was 'Singham' officer doing if there was mass rigging during polling? If the entire constituency was rigged in Singham's area, then he is not a Singham, he is a mouse. He should be suspended first. There must be accountability. What was the military doing when the entire constituency got rigged?" Ghosh asked.
The attack came after the Election Commission ordered a complete repoll in all 285 polling stations of Falta constituency on May 21, citing "severe electoral offences and subversion of democratic process" during the April 29 polling.
Why EC ordered repoll
The Election Commission's detailed order revealed that the initial scrutiny conducted on April 30 was deeply flawed. The scrutiny relied primarily on paperwork and formal reports, while complaints filed by candidates and agents were not examined in detail. Crucially, video footage from polling stations was not thoroughly reviewed.
The BJP had earlier claimed that its party symbol on electronic voting machines (EVMs) was allegedly taped over at several booths in Falta, preventing voters from selecting its option. Party leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, flagged the issue with senior leadership.
'Singham' officer
Sharma, a 2011-batch Uttar Pradesh-cadre IPS officer, was deployed as an observer by the Election Commission for the second phase of polling in West Bengal. Known for his tough policing image, he had earlier triggered controversy after a purported viral video showed him warning alleged "troublemakers" of "appropriate treatment" if they attempted to disrupt polling in Falta.
The fresh polling will be conducted on May 21, with counting scheduled for May 24.
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