A viral video of election observer Ajay Pal Sharma has triggered political controversy in West Bengal.
April 28, 2026: The controversy around Ajay Pal Sharma has intensified in West Bengal after a video surfaced allegedly showing him reprimanding election officials over lapses in duty. Opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, have accused the ruling establishment of influencing the electoral process by deploying a “trusted officer” in a sensitive region.
Sharma, an experienced IPS officer, has been appointed as an independent observer by the Election Commission of India and is currently posted in South 24 Parganas, a politically sensitive district. Officials maintain that his role is strictly to ensure fair and peaceful elections, especially in areas prone to electoral violence.
While opposition parties, including the TMC and INDIA bloc, have raised concerns over alleged bias, supporters argue that Sharma’s active field monitoring reflects the Election Commission’s intent to strengthen law and order during polling. The situation has added another layer of tension to an already heated election atmosphere in the state.