Kolkata erupted in political discourse as the Central Home Ministry issued an order extending West Bengal DGP Siddh Nath Gupta’s service by six months, mere days before the last phase of Assembly elections. Originally due to superannuate on April 30, Gupta’s continuation was formalized via a letter from Additional Secretary Sanjeev Kumar to Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala, citing public welfare.
This decision traces back to the Election Commission’s sweeping reforms prior to the polls across four states and a Union Territory. Gupta stepped in replacing Piyush Pandey, with multiple high-profile police posts reshuffled, from Kolkata’s top cop to law enforcement heads.
Administrative overhauls were equally dramatic: Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravarty made way for Dushyant Nariala, while Home Secretary changes brought Sanghamitra Ghosh into the fold. Subsequent waves of transfers hit civil services and police ranks, affecting even grassroots levels like block officers and inspectors.
TMC’s resistance was fierce, filing petitions in Calcutta High Court against what they termed ‘interference.’ The judiciary’s refusal to step in has paved the way for these changes, ensuring the poll machinery operates without disruption.
As Bengal braces for the concluding vote, Gupta’s extended role is seen as a bulwark against potential unrest, reflecting the delicate balance between state autonomy and national electoral integrity.
