Shah defends transfer of IAS, IPS officers in Bengal by EC, says many behaved like TMC cadres

Amit Shah's remarks came amid a political slugfest between the BJP and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the transfer of officers by the poll panel ahead of the Assembly polls.

Kolkata: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday defended the EC's large-scale transfer of IAS and IPS officers in West Bengal, alleging that many officials in the state functioned as "cadres" of the ruling TMC and were unable to work independently.

Addressing a press conference after releasing the BJP's 'charge sheet' against the TMC government, Shah claimed that the transfer of officers had led to fewer incidents of violence during Ram Navami celebrations this year.

"Across the country, the Election Commission (EC) transfers officers ahead of polls. This is nothing new. But in West Bengal, most officers work for the government. That is why there have been more changes here," Shah said.

Shah's remarks came amid a political slugfest between the BJP and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the transfer of officers by the poll panel ahead of the Assembly polls.

"Because officers were changed, there was less violence during Ram Navami in the state this year. We do not support any form of violence," he added.

His remarks come in the backdrop of violence in Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district during Ram Navami celebrations on Friday.

Banerjee, addressing a rally in Raniganj earlier in the day, had accused the BJP of influencing the poll panel and alleged that the transfer of IAS and IPS officers was aimed at helping the saffron party in the elections.

"The BJP has crossed all limits. There must be a Lakshman Rekha," she said.

Shah also hit back at Banerjee over her criticism of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming that West Bengal was the only state where the process had run into controversy.

"Why did the court have to appoint judicial officers only in West Bengal for the SIR process? Why was there no problem in Left Front-ruled Kerala or DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu?" Shah asked.

He alleged that district magistrates in the state were not able to function without fear.

"Mamataji can level any allegation she wants. But we will remove infiltrators," Shah said.

Sharpening the BJP's campaign pitch, Shah alleged that after 15 years of TMC rule, West Bengal had become the country's "principal corridor" for infiltration.

Shah accused the ruling party of corruption, political violence, appeasement politics and administrative collapse.

He said the BJP would gradually spell out what it intended to do to end "misrule and anarchy" in the state.

In a politically significant remark, Shah also said that after many years, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha - which he referred to as "Anga, Banga and Kalinga"- were set to be ruled by the same party.

"After many years, Anga, Banga and Kalinga, that is Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha, will have governments of the same party," he said, in a clear indication of the BJP's ambition to capture power in Bengal after having governments in Bihar and Odisha.