The new BJP government in West Bengal has appointed senior IAS officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal as the state’s Chief Secretary, triggering sharp reactions from opposition parties.
Agarwal recently served as West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer and supervised the Assembly elections before taking charge as the state’s top bureaucrat. The appointment was among the first major administrative decisions taken by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari after the BJP formed government in the state.
The opposition, especially the All India Trinamool Congress, criticised the move and questioned the timing of the appointment. Party leaders alleged that appointing a former election official to a senior government role immediately after the polls raises concerns about neutrality and fairness.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also attacked the decision, saying it could weaken public trust in democratic institutions.
The BJP defended the appointment, calling Agarwal an experienced administrator with years of governance experience. Government sources said his administrative background made him suitable for leading the state bureaucracy during the transition period.
A 1990-batch IAS officer, Agarwal has held several senior roles in the state administration over the years. He replaces outgoing Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala.
The appointment has added to the political tension in West Bengal following the recent Assembly elections, with the opposition continuing to question several post-election developments in the state.
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