Kolkata, March 17 – Former IPS officer and BJP's national spokesperson, Bharati Ghosh, extended her support to the Election Commission on Tuesday regarding the transfer of West Bengal government officials, stating that Article 324 of the Indian Constitution empowers the electoral body to perform duties to ensure free and fair elections.
Regarding the transfer of IAS and IPS officers since the notification for the West Bengal Assembly elections was issued, Ghosh said, "The Election Commission has exercised this power and transferred those officers who were found to be manipulating the election process."
The former IPS officer stated that the Election Commission has removed Vineet Goyal from the position of Additional Director General of Law and Order, who had failed to maintain law and order during the RG Kar rape and murder incident.
"Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, who had created a conflict between Nabanna and the Raj Bhawan, has also been removed for the purpose of conducting free, fair, and neutral elections. The people of West Bengal are in fear and apprehension under the TMC rule. The Election Commission has employed Article 324 to remove such officers who could have manipulated the election," said Ghosh.
In a move executed effectively on Sunday night, the Election Commission transferred Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and Home Secretary JP Meena. Furthermore, several senior police officials, including the Director General of State Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, were also transferred.
This development came hours after the Election Commission issued the notification for the state Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, she criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly making anti-social, anti-Hindu, and provocative speeches. Ghosh pointed out that such statements are an insult to Bengali culture and tradition.
Addressing a press conference at the state BJP headquarters in Kolkata, the BJP leader said that Mamata Banerjee had threatened the Hindu community by saying that if a particular community consolidates, they will ruin them.
Ghosh said, "As the chief minister and home minister of the state, it is your responsibility to provide protection to all. This is the land of Khudiram Bose and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The people of West Bengal will cast their vote against TMC and will remove them from power. The chief minister has failed to perform constitutional responsibilities and obligations."
According to the BJP leader, it is the duty of the chief minister to look after the safety and security of the people of West Bengal and to neutralise such a community which can create mayhem in society.