West Bengal poll controversy: Viral video shows alleged observer–BJP meeting, TMC cries foul | WATCH
Kolkata: A video shared by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has triggered a political storm just a day before voting begins in West Bengal’s Assembly elections.
The clip allegedly shows a police observer entering a hotel, followed by claims that he held a private meeting with a BJP candidate, an allegation that has raised serious questions about election neutrality.
Police Observer for Diamond Harbour, Parmar Smit Parshottamdas, has been caught red-handed.
Despite being provided official accommodation at the IPS Mess in Alipore, Parshottamdas disregarded protocol entirely and chose instead to stay at Room 208 of Sagarika Hotel in Diamond… pic.twitter.com/QmLDsRZwW3— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 22, 2026
The video captures Parmar Smit Parshottamdas, a police observer assigned to Diamond Harbour, visiting a hotel where he allegedly met Gour Sundar Ghosh, the BJP candidate from Magrahat Paschim. The party claims the meeting was “a private, unscheduled, unrecorded, and entirely unofficial meeting.”
With polling set for April 23 (Phase 1) and April 29 (Phase 2) across 294 constituencies, the role of observers is crucial. Appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI), these officials are tasked with ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.
The TMC has directly accused the observer of violating established protocols and questioned the Election Commission’s credibility.
In its statement, the party added, "The BJP-ECI nexus is not a theory. It has now been documented, dated, and located. Room 208, Sagarika Hotel, Diamond Harbour, 20th April 2026."
As of now, the BJP has not issued a response to these claims.
Pattern of observer changes adds to the debate
The controversy comes amid multiple last-minute changes by the Election Commission. Notably the police observer for Nandigram, Hitesh Choudhury, was replaced by Akhilesh Singh just days before polling. Additionally, observers in Malda and Jangipur were also changed.
Nandigram remains a high-stakes constituency, with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari contesting a seat he famously won in 2021.
Election snapshot
Total seats: 294
Polling dates: April 23 & April 29
Counting: May 4