Ex-Bengal Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena appointed EC observer in Tamil Nadu

Former West Bengal Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena has been appointed as an election observer in Tamil Nadu by the Election Commission of India, shortly after his removal from the key post in the state. He has been assigned to oversee the Tiruchirappalli West constituency, marking a swift administrative shift following recent developments linked to the election process.

Meena’s appointment comes just days after he was unexpectedly removed from his role as Home Secretary soon after the announcement of the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026. He was reassigned to another department late on Monday night, before being deputed as an observer by the Commission the following morning, indicating rapid changes in administrative responsibilities during the election period.

The reshuffle also saw the removal of Nandini Chakraborty from the post of Chief Secretary, with Dushmant Nariyala appointed as her replacement. Meanwhile, Sanghamitra Ghosh has taken over as the new Home Secretary, reflecting a broader reorganisation within the state administration ahead of the polls.

The decisions triggered strong reactions from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who criticised the transfers and raised concerns over the manner in which they were carried out. She questioned the removal of senior officials and alleged that the process lacked transparency and fairness, highlighting concerns over administrative autonomy during the election period.

In a letter addressed to Gyanesh Kumar, Banerjee argued that the transfers were made without following established procedures or consulting the state government. She cited constitutional provisions and existing norms, stating that such unilateral actions undermine cooperative federalism and democratic practices, especially during a sensitive electoral phase.