EC Tightens Grip on Bengal: Chief, Home Secretaries Replaced Hours After Poll Announcement

• Election Commission replaced West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakrabarty with Dushyant Nariyala.
• Home Secretary Jagadish Prasad Meena was replaced by Sanghamitra Ghosh, both assuming charge by Monday 3 pm.
• These swift administrative changes occurred hours after the Model Code of Conduct came into effect, asserting the EC's tight control.
• A wider reshuffle in the police force is anticipated; EC seeks detailed information on policing in sensitive areas, especially those affected by 2021 post-poll violence.
• Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar warned against political violence, emphasizing strict action and close monitoring of the upcoming elections.