A controversy erupted over Uttar Pradesh’s encounter specialist and Special Election Observer Ajay Pal Sharma in West Bengal, after he issued a stern warning to Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Jehangir Khan at his residence on Monday following complaints.
Khan, who is contesting from Falta in the South 24 Parganas district, has now come out with an attack on the BJP. While addressing a public meeting, he said, “They (BJP) have started the game, but we will finish it. Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost. You (BJP) are deploying CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and giving big speeches. But if I walk in this area, CRPF will disappear into thin air.”
Khan went on to say he has the blessings of women who are like Maa Durga protecting him. “Every mother is a Durga, they know how to oppose Asur (demon). They know how to fix CRPF stooges. When mothers are with me, I have faith. We will not accept their threats,” he added.
The TMC then accused the BJP of deploying its election observer from UP.
“Yogi Adityanath’s encounter specialist Ajay Pal Sharma has just been parachuted in by the Election Commission as police observer for South 24 Parganas. This is the same man whose badge of honour is a body count from ‘encounters’ and whose real speciality is turning the police uniform into a personal ATM and a tool for personal vendettas,” TMC leader Riju Dutta said.
Sharma, meanwhile, was hailed as Uttar Pradesh’s “Singam,” by the BJP, a reference to the Ajay Devgan Bollywood starrer, for his stern warning to the TMC ahead of the elections.
“He wasted no time in setting the tone, firmly reading the riot act to the family members of Abhishek Banerjee’s close aide, Jehangir Khan. The message is loud and clear: the era of intimidation and impunity is over. Law and order will prevail, and those attempting to influence the electoral process will be held accountable,” BJP leader Amit Malviya said.
Former UP Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav also lashed out at the BJP over Sharma’s deployment in West Bengal. He also sent out support to Mamata Banerjee. “In West Bengal, the BJP has sent their tested agents in the name of observers from Rampur and Sambhal, but nothing will come of these. Didi is here, Didi will remain!” he said.
What Ajay Pal Sharma did to trigger the controversy
On Sunday, Ajay Pal Sharma went to Falta to find Khan after some voters complained that threats were issued to them by the TMC candidate. However, upon reaching the residence, Sharma could not find him. Locals and the police also kept Khan’s location under wraps.
Sharma then addressed Khan’s relatives at his residence and issued a stern warning, “Make sure he (Khan) understands. If there are complaints of people being threatened, we will deal with it properly. If anyone indulges in wrongdoing or tries to harass voters, we will take strict action,” Sharma said.
The video of the incident went viral on social media.
“Tell Jehangir that there were repeated complaints that his (Khan’s) people are threatening others. If this continues, we will take it seriously. There should be no complaints later,” the special observer added.
The TMC candidate had 14 West Bengal Police personnel deployed at his residence instead of 10 for Z plus security cover issued to him.
Who is Ajay Pal Sharma?
Sharma is a 2011 batch IPS officer from the UP cadre. He earned the title ‘encounter specialist’ after carrying out dozens of encounters under CM Yogi Adityanath and is feared by many due to his tough ways of dealing with miscreants. His tough and swift method in dealing with complex cases involving criminals has made the IPS officer a talking point in UP.
He originally trained as a dental professional with the degree Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS), but later switched to studying for the civil service exam and becoming an IPS officer. He is known to have conducted multiple encounters while being posted as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Jaunpur, UP. His no-nonsense approach was also seen during his postings in Shamli, Noida, and Rampur. In Noida, he conducted a surprise inspection of police officials after being tipped off on a purported bribe rate list among them.
The IPS officer has now ruffled feathers ahead of the second phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal, where 142 constituencies are set to go to polls on April 29.