Kolkata: EC on Thursday directed Bengal’s chief secretary to submit a panel of three names to replace the returning officer for Bhowanipore — where CM Mamata Banerjee is contesting — within hours of a Trinamool complaint alleging partisan conduct. Chief secretary Dushyant Nariala complied by end of day, Nabanna sources confirmed. The action came within 48 hours of Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien’s complaint accusing Bhowanipore RO Surajit Roy of proximity to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.Trinamool widened its offensive on Thursday, alleging that several EC-appointed observers carry questionable backgrounds and political affiliations. State minister Bratya Basu claimed the party had earlier flagged observer links to BJP and was now placing further details on record.Basu cited Ajay Katesaria, general observer for Bongaon Dakshin, alleging the officer faced corruption charges during Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s tenure in MP before being cleared under the Mohan Yadav govt. He also named Dheeraj Kumar (Gazole), allegedly linked to a ambulance tender scam; Gandam Chandrudu (Ballygunge), allegedly facing a dowry harassment case; and Arindam Dakua (Madhyamgram), described as having served as private secretary to BJP CM Mohan Charan Majhi in Odisha.
