Kolkata, April 21: The special poll observer for West Bengal, Ajay V Nayak, on Saturday compared the law and order situation in Bengal to that of Bihar 10 to 15 years back and said that people have lost faith in the state police force. The sharp criticism comes after the Election Commission of India (ECI) removed Malda Superintendent of Police (SP) Arnab Ghosh, the sixth police official in the state to be taken of elections duty. TMC Writes to EC Against Special Observer For West Bengal Ajay V Nayak, Seeks Cancellation of His Appointment.

"This situation in West Bengal is similar to what it was in Bihar around 10 to 15 years ago. During that time in Bihar total deployment of central forces at the booths was required. Now it is required in West Bengal as the people of West Bengal have lost faith in the state police and are seeking deployment of central forces at all the booths," Nayak told to reporters.

Nayak, a 1984-batch IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer from Bihar, has been given responsibility for overseeing the last five phases of Lok Sabha Elections in Bihar. He said that on April 23, the third phase of polling, 324 companies of central forces would be deployed to cover around 92 per cent of polling booths in five constituencies (Malda North, Malda South, Balurghat, Murshidabad and Jangipur). West Bengal Poll Violence: BJP Candidates' Office, House Ransacked by Alleged 'TMC Goons'.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leader Subrata Baksi has written a letter to Election Commission against Nayak, claiming that the official is politically biased. The leader also demanded that Nayak should be recalled from the state to ensure free and fair elections.

"The Election Commission after two phases of polling had said, barring a few incidents the polling was peaceful. Nayak's comments are highly misplaced. He is acting in a partisan manner with pre-conceived notions to destabilise elections in the state and create a fear psychosis among voters," Bakshi said in the letter.

"It is therefore requested to immediately recall him or cancel his appointment as a special observer in the state of West Bengal to ensure free and fair elections," Bakshi said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 21, 2019 09:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).