Adhikari plaint to ECI over ‘TMC propaganda’ at police meet
The Statesman | 26 November 2025
Leader of Opposition in Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India alleging that a state-level conference of women police personnel in Digha turned into a platform for political propaganda for Trinamul Congress.
Questioning the neutrality of the police force ahead of the Assembly elections, Mr Adhikari claimed that photographs and videos from the event indicate that senior officers openly endorsed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s return to power for a fourth consecutive term. In a two-page letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Jagnesh Kumar, the BJP leader alleged that the second state women police conference, held on 22 November in Digha, violated the model code of conduct in spirit by allowing uniformed personnel to be involved in political messaging.
The event, attended by district police chiefs, senior IPS officers and several invited ministers and MLAs, “resembled a TMC campaign stage rather than an official policing forum”, he wrote. Mr Adhikari accused police officers present at the conference of displaying “blatant political bias” under the banner of the Police Welfare Association. He named Kolkata Police inspector Vijaytashwa Raut, the Association’s convenor, alleging that the officer not only made “obscene gestures” targeting him but also urged attendees to ensure Ms Banerjee’s return as Chief Minister for a fourth term. A video clip of the alleged remarks has been submitted to the Commission along with the complaint. “The neutrality of such police personnel during elections is highly doubtful. Deploying them for poll duty will raise serious questions on fairness,”
Mr Adhikari wrote, urging the ECI to take immediate cognisance. He also raised a larger question over how police officers entrusted with law-and-order responsibilities could openly participate in political advocacy, calling it a direct violation of service rules. Demanding a probe into inspector Raut’s conduct, the BJP leader urged the Commission to initiate “appropriate action” based on the video evidence. He further sought clear guidelines to prevent political activities from being conducted under the guise of police welfare events.