If he's 'Singham', I'm 'Pushpa': TMC leader fires back after UP cop's warning

A fiery 'Singham vs Pushpa' remark sets off a political storm in Bengal as protests erupt, an IPS officer faces accusations, and tensions rise ahead of the crucial second phase of polling.

In Short

• TMC workers protested outside Khan's home and office in Falta on Tuesday
• Ajay Pal Sharma visited after complaints of voter intimidation and card collection
• The observer warned Khan's relatives of strict action over harassment allegations

A warning by an IPS officer, Ajay Pal Sharma, triggered protests and a sharp political exchange in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas, with TMC candidate Jahangir Khan firing back, “If he’s ‘Singham’, I am ‘Pushpa’.”

Officials said Sharma, a 2011-batch IPS officer from Uttar Pradesh deployed as an Election Commission observer, visited Falta following complaints that Khan’s associates were allegedly collecting voter identity cards and threatening voters.

Eyewitnesses said Sharma reached Khan’s residence on Monday and issued a clear warning.

“Make sure he 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 while addressing Khan’s relatives.

Often dubbed ‘Singham’ for his tough image, Sharma added, “Tell Jehangir that repeated complaints are coming that his people are threatening others. If that continues, we will take it up seriously.”

KHAN HITS BACK

Khan responded forcefully, turning the confrontation into a headline-grabbing exchange.

“This is Bengal; if he is ‘Singham’, I am ‘Pushpa’. Any kind of intimidation or pressure from the Uttar Pradesh police officers deployed by the BJP in Falta will not be tolerated,” he said.

“They came with police force and tried to pressure me and my people. Such actions are unacceptable in a democratic system,” he added.

Khan also alleged that Sharma visited his party office and residence to “threaten” his family. “Is this the duty of a police observer? If he has to say something, he has to tell the SP or IC. There is no rule of ECI that says a police observer can go and threaten people at their houses,” he said.

“They are trying to threaten TMC workers because they know they won’t win. But we are not afraid.”

PROTESTS ERUPT IN FALTA

Soon after, TMC supporters gathered outside Khan’s party office in Falta, raising ‘Jai Bangla’ slogans as Sharma’s convoy passed with CRPF vehicles.

The protest, triggered after the officer’s visit and Khan’s response, saw party workers accuse Sharma of “intimidating” leaders and workers ahead of polling.

Visuals showed slogan-shouting supporters confronting the convoy, turning the area into a tense political zone.

FRESH TWIST: POLICE COMPLAINT FILED

The controversy deepened further with a police complaint filed at Falta police station by a woman, accusing Sharma and central forces of misconduct.

In the complaint, she alleged that personnel “barged into houses at night and assaulted women”, raising serious questions about the conduct of the deployment.

The allegations have added a new dimension to the row, even as there has been no immediate response from officials on the complaint.

MINISTERS QUESTION OFFICER’S ROLE

Senior TMC leaders questioned Sharma’s conduct, alleging overreach.

West Bengal minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said, “The media has given him the name ‘encounter specialist’. We wonder what such a police officer is doing here. Can he visit a house at night and issue a threat?”

“We condemn such things. It seems he has been brought in to disturb peace on one pretext or another?”

Minister Aroop Biswas added, “Observers are expected to remain neutral. Any attempt to act beyond constitutional limits or target a particular party will be challenged legally.”

The row spilled onto social media as TMC MP Mahua Moitra took a swipe at the officer, posting a video on X.

“Good to see you enjoying yourself... Hope your policing skills are better than your dancing skills,” she wrote, adding another layer to the political face-off.

HIGH-STAKES BATTLEFIELD

Falta, part of the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency represented by Abhishek Banerjee, has now turned into a high-voltage battleground as campaigning peaks.

With 95 observers deployed by the Election Commission to ensure free and fair polls, the confrontation has sharpened focus on the role of officials, and the political temperature, ahead of voting.

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