UP’s encounter specialist Ajay Pal goes ‘Singham’ in West Bengal, viral video sparks poll row
The Statesman | 28 April 2026
A hardline IPS officer deployed by the Election Commission in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas has found himself at the centre of a political flashpoint after a video, amplified by the BJP, showed him warning people linked to a candidate ahead of polling.
Ajay Pal Sharma, a 2011-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as police observer for the district, a move seen as part of the Commission’s push to tighten oversight in sensitive pockets before the second phase of voting.
The BJP’s West Bengal unit shared the clip on X, projecting Sharma as an “encounter specialist” and claiming he had “read the riot act” to the family of a local strongman. The post asserted that “nobody can stop this election from being the most free and fair in 50 years” and warned that those trying to act “oversmart” would be dealt with.
The video, now widely circulating, appears to show Sharma visiting the residence of Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan from the Falta area and admonishing his family members to stay within the bounds of the law.
In the clip, the officer can be heard warning that they must “reform” or face consequences later, a remark that has quickly snowballed into a political controversy.
Even as the video gains traction, questions have been raised over its authenticity and the context in which it was recorded. The Election Commission has not issued any official statement so far.
The BJP has used the video to sharpen its attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress, suggesting it reflects the need for strict enforcement on the ground.
The Trinamool Congress, however, has dismissed the episode, alleging that the clip is being circulated deliberately to create confusion in the run-up to elections.
Opposition parties, meanwhile, are attempting to leverage the incident to increase pressure on the ruling party, adding to the charged political atmosphere.
Sources in the Election Commission said observers have been asked to maintain strict vigilance to ensure free and peaceful polling.
They indicated that any complaint of law violation involving candidates or political parties would be acted upon promptly.
Sharma’s posting is part of a wider exercise, with the Commission recently appointing 11 new police observers for the state. His name figures at the top of that list.
Currently serving as Additional Commissioner of Police in Prayagraj, Sharma is known for his tough administrative approach and swift decision-making, earning him a “dabang” reputation during his tenure in Uttar Pradesh.
Political analysts say such an image could help maintain order in volatile areas, but also warn that every action by the officer will be closely scrutinised and interpreted politically in the run-up to polling.
For now, the viral video and the narratives built around it have added another layer of tension to an already high-stakes election season in West Bengal.