The deployment of IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma has sparked a major row in West Bengal, with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party accusing the BJP of trying to tilt the vote in their favour.
The BJP claims Sharma has been sent as an 'observer' to ensure 'free and fair voting', but the TMC and SP have accused the party of deploying 'agents' to intimidate voters.
TMC and SP leaders have highlighted Sharma's 'dark record' and 'thok-do attitude', and have vowed to probe his activities and take punitive action if necessary.
The BJP has defended Sharma, calling him an 'encounter specialist' and 'Singham' of UP police, and has vowed to ensure that the election is the 'freest and fairest in 50 years'.
