Bengal polls: TMC seeks removal of Bhabanipur RO, alleges proximity with BJP’s Suvendu

The TMC on Friday (April 3, 2026) sought the immediate removal of the Returning Officer for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in West Bengal, alleging his proximity with BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari.

In a representation submitted to West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the ruling party raised objections to the appointment of RO for the Bhabanipur seat in southern Kolkata.

The party alleged that the returning officer has a “documented and close association” with senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who is contesting from Bhabanipur against Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.

Mr. Adhikari is also in the electoral fray from Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district.

According to the complaint, the RO had earlier served as block development officer in Nandigram-II, where his proximity to Mr. Adhikari was allegedly visible in public engagements.

The TMC claimed that such an association creates a “reasonable apprehension of bias” and “compromises the neutrality” required for conducting elections.

The party also questioned the RO’s current posting as additional director of land records, stating that the position is typically held by more senior officers.

The TMC alleged that his appointment to the role, particularly ahead of elections, raises concerns of “preferential and motivated deployment”.

Emphasising the critical role of a returning officer, the TMC said the official is responsible for key electoral processes, including nomination scrutiny, conduct of polling and declaration of results, and therefore must be “unimpeachably neutral”.

Citing Article 324 of the Constitution and provisions of the Representation of the People Act, the Trinamool Congress argued that the Election Commission is duty-bound to ensure free and fair polls by appointing officers without any perceived bias.

The party also referred to the Model Code of Conduct, which mandates administrative neutrality, and alleged that the RO’s continuation violates these principles.

The TMC representation noted that the Election Commission had earlier sought a panel of three alternative officers from the State government, following a complaint lodged on March 24.

While the State complied, no decision has yet been taken to replace the RO, the letter, signed by senior TMC leaders Shashi Panja, Aroop Biswas, Baiswanor Chattopadhyay, claimed.

Calling the situation “Constitutionally untenable” and “electorally dangerous”, the Trinamool Congress urged the Election Commission to take “immediate, reasoned and transparent action to ensure the integrity of the electoral process”.