West Bengal politics has hit another tense note just days before the 2026 Assembly elections. Suvendu Adhikari, BJP MLA from Nandigram, has publicly accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of trying to manipulate votes through a state-run police welfare body.
In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), Adhikari expressed his shock, calling the alleged actions “a brazen attempt to undermine democracy before elections are even announced.”
I am deeply shocked and outraged by the brazen attempts of the TMC controlled so-called West Bengal Police Welfare Organisation to undermine the very foundations of our Democracy, even before the elections are announced !!!
This recent order from the Superintendent of Police;… pic.twitter.com/nEIcoUctNX
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) March 8, 2026
Alleged misuse of Police Welfare Organisation
According to Adhikari, a recent order issued by the Superintendent of Police, Jhargram District, dated March 7, 2026, assigns the handling of postal ballots and employee development (ED) votes for police personnel to the so-called “Joint Convener, Welfare” of the Jhargram District Police Welfare.
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Adhikari claims that this body has no legal authority in electoral matters and describes it as a “frontal outfit for the TMC party.” He says it was created solely to serve the interests of the ruling party, run by officers loyal to TMC leaders rather than their official duty to the public.
“This is not an isolated incident,” he said. “It is a statewide conspiracy where police reserve officers are being instructed to collect postal ballots from every police personnel and funnel them through this sham welfare organisation.”
Allegations of coercion and electoral manipulation
The BJP leader went on to accuse these officers of issuing illegal orders and coercing junior police personnel to hand over their votes. He warned that such practices threaten the integrity of the electoral process, even before the Model Code of Conduct comes into force.
“This is a direct assault on free and fair elections,” Adhikari said. “Crucial votes from those who protect society are being hijacked to rig the system in favor of the corrupt TMC regime.”
Urgent appeal to Election Commission
Suvendu Adhikari has urged the Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) to take immediate action. He called for the disbandment of the so-called police welfare body and strict action against all officials involved, starting with the Superintendent of Police in Jhargram.
He also emphasised that postal ballots for police personnel should be handled only through official channels, ensuring that every vote is protected and counted properly.
Details of the controversial order
This March 7, 2026 order titled “Corrigendum of Work Distribution of Election Cell of Jhargram District in c/w General Assembly Election-2026” makes several staffing changes. It assigns the following officers to handle postal ballots and ED votes:
– ASI(AB)-89 Debasish Das, Joint Convener Welfare
– C/1252 Malay Bera (Jhargram District Police 2601)
– 601 Edur Buley (Jhargram District Police ECCS Ltd.)
– C/1574 Debasish Kr. Jana (Jhargram District Police ECCS Ltd.)
– C/665 Kumar Samrat Pal (Reserve Officer)
The order states these personnel will work on postal ballot and ED vote management in addition to existing members, with the aim of “smooth, seamless, and unambiguous functioning” of the election cell.