Kolkata, April 29, 2026: As West Bengal gears up for the second phase of the high-stakes 2026 Assembly elections, a fresh controversy has erupted involving a Uttar Pradesh cadre IPS officer and a sharp rebuttal from Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) deployed Ajay Pal Sharma, a 2011-batch IPS officer often dubbed “UP’s Singham” for his tough, no-nonsense policing style, as a police observer in the sensitive South 24 Parganas district. His recent on-duty actions and a personal video that surfaced online have now become the latest flashpoint in Bengal’s politically charged atmosphere.
What Sparked the Row?
The controversy began when a video went viral showing Ajay Pal Sharma warning supporters linked to a TMC candidate in the Falta area of South 24 Parganas. In the clip, Sharma, accompanied by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, is heard cautioning against any attempts to intimidate voters or disrupt polling. He reportedly said that troublemakers would face strict action and “proper treatment” under the law.
TMC leaders accused the officer of overstepping his role as an observer and trying to intimidate party workers in a region considered a stronghold of Abhishek Banerjee. The party claimed the deployment of such a “trigger-happy” officer from Uttar Pradesh was part of a larger strategy to create fear among voters ahead of the crucial second phase voting on April 29.
Mahua Moitra’s Sharp Dig Goes Viral
Adding fuel to the fire, TMC MP Mahua Moitra jumped into the debate on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on April 28. She shared what she described as archived videos showing a man — whom she identified as Ajay Pal Sharma — dancing in a casual setting with women and others to popular Hindi songs.
In her now widely circulated post, Moitra wrote in her signature witty and sarcastic style:
Mahua Moitra Ajay Pal Sharma, Mahua Moitra Singham comment, West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, TMC MP dance video controversy, Ajay Pal Sharma IPS observer, South 24 Parganas polling row, Bengal polls phase 2, Fair and Lovely Babua Moitra, UP encounter specialist Bengal, Mamata Banerjee election 2026, TMC vs BJP controversy, Mahua Moitra tweet Ajay Sharma, FantaCop Bengal elections“Fair & Lovely Babua @DripsAjaypal – good to see you enjoying yourself FantaCop style. Stay cool, cool, cool. Bengal is always Trinamool. I hope your police skills are better than your dancing skills… just saying.”
She later defended the authenticity of the video in replies, asserting it was real. The post quickly gained traction, drawing both laughter and criticism from netizens. Another TMC leader and candidate, Chandrima Bhattacharya, also took a jab, questioning the “intention” behind such dancing by an officer on election duty in Bengal.
The reference to “Fair & Lovely Babua” and “FantaCop” appeared to mock Sharma’s fair complexion and his energetic on-duty persona, turning a serious administrative matter into a meme-worthy political exchange typical of Bengal’s colourful poll battles.
Who Is Ajay Pal Sharma?
Ajay Pal Sharma, originally from Ludhiana in Punjab, is a former dentist who switched careers to join the Indian Police Service in 2011. He has served in several Uttar Pradesh districts and earned a reputation as an “encounter specialist” known for his aggressive approach to law and order. Currently posted as Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) in Prayagraj, Sharma is praised by supporters for his strict stance against crime and criticised by opponents for his style of functioning.
His deployment in West Bengal as a police observer for the second phase, covering 142 seats including parts of South 24 Parganas, was seen by the ruling TMC as an attempt by the central authorities to influence the electoral process. BJP leaders, on the other hand, have defended the officer, highlighting the need for neutral and strong observers to ensure free and fair polling in a state often criticised for political violence.
Political Context: Heat of Bengal Elections 2026
This latest episode comes at a time when Bengal is voting in two phases for its 294-member Assembly. The first phase on April 23 recorded an exceptionally high turnout of over 92%, while the second phase on April 29 includes key urban and semi-urban seats, including Bhabanipur, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting.
TMC has been vocal about alleged interference by central agencies and observers. Mamata Banerjee herself has accused the BJP of trying to “rig” the elections and raised concerns over the role of outside police forces and observers who “do not understand Bengal’s soil.”
The BJP, meanwhile, has accused the TMC of muscle power, booth capturing attempts, and intimidating voters — the very issues that prompted Sharma’s reported intervention in South 24 Parganas.
Mahua Moitra, who has been actively campaigning and often uses sharp social media commentary, has positioned herself as a fierce defender of Trinamool’s narrative. Her latest remark reflects the party’s strategy of countering what it calls “outside interference” with humour, regional pride, and direct attacks.
Reactions and Fallout
The BJP chose not to engage deeply, with one spokesperson remarking that Moitra’s post “speaks of her own taste.” Some users questioned the authenticity of the dance video, calling it old or unverified, while others criticised Moitra for personal attacks instead of focusing on governance issues.
An FIR has reportedly been filed against Mahua Moitra alleging defamation and circulation of a potentially manipulated video aimed at discrediting a serving IPS officer on election duty.
Defence of Sharma has come from those who see his strict warning as a necessary step to maintain law and order during sensitive polling. Supporters argue that personal videos from the past should not undermine an officer’s professional credibility, especially when performing a constitutional duty.
Broader Implications
Incidents like this highlight how personal and professional lines often blur in the heat of Indian elections, particularly in states like West Bengal known for their intense political rivalries. The use of social media by politicians to mock officials raises questions about the dignity of institutions and the pressure on neutral administrators during polls.
For the Election Commission, ensuring the safety and neutrality of observers while preventing any perception of bias remains a tightrope walk. With results expected on May 4, every such controversy adds to the narrative war between TMC and BJP.
As voters queue up at booths on April 29, the focus remains on whether the high deployment of central forces and observers will lead to a smoother, more transparent process or further escalate tensions.
Mahua Moitra’s cheeky remark may have provided temporary amusement to her supporters, but it also underscores the deeper contest: a battle between a long-ruling regional party defending its turf and a national party seeking to make inroads with promises of change and better governance.
In Bengal’s vibrant democracy, where politics often mixes wit, drama, and confrontation, this “Singham vs Babua” episode is likely to be remembered as one of the colourful side stories of the 2026 Assembly elections.
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