Expressing concern over the ECI's decision, O'Brien accused the BJP of undermining institutions like the ECI with their actions. New Delhi: Trinamool
Congress MP Derek O’Brien has criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the recent transfer of officers by the
election Commission of
India (ECI), questioning whether the BJP is “afraid to face the people”. O’Brien suggested that the ECI is being turned into a party office by the BJP, referring to the removal of West Bengal Director General of
police Rajeev Kumar. Expressing concern over the ECI’s decision, O’Brien accused the BJP of undermining institutions like the ECI with their actions. He called for the
Supreme Court to monitor the 2024 Lok Sabha
elections to ensure a “free and fair” electoral process. BJP’s filthy tricks destroying institutions like ECI. Are BJP so nervous to face people that they are turning ECI into a party office to target Oppn? ECI or HMV? Transferring officers of elected State govts! For free & fair elections WE WANT SUPREME COURT MONITORED ELECTION 2024 — Derek O’Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) March 19, 2024 In a
Social Media post, O’Brien wrote, “BJP’s filthy tricks destroying institutions like ECI. Are BJP so nervous to face people that they are turning ECI into a party office to target Oppn? ECI or HMV? Transferring officers of elected State govts! For free & fair elections WE WANT SUPREME COURT MONITORED ELECTION 2024.” In addition to Rajeev Kumar, the ECI ordered the removal of home secretaries from several states and municipal commissioners. Rajeev Kumar, a 1989-batch IPS officer known for his closeness to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was appointed as DGP in December 2023. Previously, Kumar has served as the chief of Kolkata Police and Bidhannagar Police. The controversy surrounding Kumar dates back to 2019 when the CBI accused him of suppressing and destroying evidence in the Saradha scam investigation. Mamata Banerjee staged a two-day dharna in protest against the CBI’s actions, which ended after the Supreme Court granted Kumar protection from arrest.