Kolkata, April 6: The overnight transfer of Kolkata Police Commissioner Anju Sharma and three other senior bureaucrats by the Election Commission has created a political furore in West Bengal. State Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee questioned the decision to transfer the Kolkata Police Commissioner Anuj Sharma and Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Gyanwant Singh ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

Ask for an explanation from the ECI on why have these change been made, the West Bengal CM drafted a  strongly worded letter to the apex poll conducting body. She wrote: "I strongly feel that the EC plays a neutral role to save democracy in India. But, it is very unfortunate that I have to write this letter today to raise strong protest against the transfer order dated April 5, 2019 issued by the EC by way of removing four senior officers from their existing positions." EC Transfers 4 Top West Bengal Cops Including Kolkata Police Commissioner Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2019. 

Adding more, she stated, "The decision of the Commission is highly arbitrary, motivated and biased. We have every reason to believe that the decision of the Commission is at the behest of the ruling party at the Centre, i.e the BJP."

As per to the reports, Anuj Sharma - who has been transferred - was in the eye of the massive storm after he appeared next to Banerjee' dharna site, earlier in March. At that time, it was reported that Sharma and other bureaucrats could be barred from future central deputations.

West Bengal's CM in defiance had commissioned Sharma as Police Commissioner of Kolkata, but now after the election commission has transferred him and three other officers, it has further given credential to the claims made by the opposition parties in the state.

Thus it was expected Mamata Banerjee to counter and she would be writing to the ECI. The letter sought answers as what prompted the ECI to transfer these four senior officers, suggesting the law and order is subjected to the state and should be kept that way.

The Lok Sabha Elections 2019 will take place in seven phases - April 11 to May 19. The results would be announced on May 23.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 06, 2019 05:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).