Nandigram Police Chief Axed on Eve of Bypoll After Opposition Complaints

The officer-in-charge of Nandigram police station, identified as Mishra, was replaced on the day before a scheduled bypoll, following complaints from opposition parties to the Election Commission. The opposition alleged that Mishra was close to the ruling party, prompting the poll body to intervene and order his transfer.

Mishra had been posted as the IC of Nandigram police station ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, a crucial electoral battleground in West Bengal. The replacement comes amid heightened scrutiny of police neutrality during elections, with the Election Commission often stepping in to ensure a level playing field. The bypoll is seen as a precursor to the larger electoral contest in 2026.

The last-minute change has sparked political reactions, with the ruling party likely to view it as a setback while the opposition claims a victory for electoral integrity. The new officer-in-charge is expected to take charge immediately to oversee security arrangements for the bypoll. The incident underscores the ongoing tension between political parties over the role of law enforcement in elections, and further developments are awaited as polling proceeds.