Though in the thick of political controversies, special police observer for West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas, Ajay Pal Sharma, spent his day touring the district and keeping vigil on the polling process. The encounter specialist who went viral after he was caught on camera warning TMC leader Jahangir Khan’s aides was seen visiting sensitive booths in the district, which the TMC has criticised as 'excessive activity'.
Sharma visited the temporary CRPF camp near Diamond Harbour station with his convoy around 7:45 am. Sharma reportedly held a meeting with CRPF DG Gyanendra Pratap Singh inside the camp for over 30 minutes. Other senior CRPF officers were also there.
Besides Diamond Harbour, the IPS official also visited several sensitive booths in the neighbouring Kulpi area. He inspected the security arrangements of the booths, the voting process and the deployment of central forces.
Ajay Pal Sharma's convoy later left for the Falta Assembly constituency on receiving reports of tension at some booths. He personally inspected the situation.
#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | West Bengal Election Observer Ajay Pal Sharma at Diamond Harbour, South 24 Parganas
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026
Voting is being held today for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections pic.twitter.com/otrrIQkPnP
However, the ruling Trinamool Congress has questioned the increased activity of the central forces and police observers. Shamim Ahmed, a Trinamool candidate from Magrahat West assembly constituency, sarcastically said, "The common people in the area are feeling a bit scared. Security is definitely necessary, but this was excessive. Such behaviour shows a lack of impartiality and works in favour of the BJP. Our main goal is that people can vote without fear. But if the security forces interfere excessively, then an atmosphere of fear may be created among the common voters."
60 per cent voting
More than 60 per cent of the 3.21 crore electors voted till 1 pm in the second phase of polling in West Bengal amid sporadic violence and attacks on candidates, state's Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal said.
Agarwal said extensive security deployment and close monitoring were ensuring a smooth voting process across the state. "In the first phase, West Bengal showed the country that a 93 per cent voter turnout is possible, and that elections can be free and fair. In this phase as well, we aim to match or even exceed that benchmark," Agarwal said.
