In the middle of an already heated debate over the “neutrality” of central forces in poll-bound West Bengal, an unexpected element has rolled onto the political stage— a carrom board.
A viral video, currently doing the rounds on social media, appears to show uniformed personnel of central forces casually playing carrom inside a local office of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Suri, Birbhum. While the authenticity of the clip has not been independently verified by the NAI, the optics alone were enough to trigger a political storm.
In the footage, three men in uniform can be seen gathered around a carrom board, with one of them even taking a shot. Around them stand several local youths — whom opposition leaders allege are TMC workers — adding fuel to claims of “partisan proximity.”
The incident comes at a sensitive time, just ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, where central forces are being deployed extensively to ensure free and fair polling.
Sensing the seriousness of the situation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) acted swiftly. Following a preliminary inquiry and verification process, the three personnel seen in the video have been identified and suspended on grounds of “gross indiscipline.” Officials have also barred them from any election-related duties for the remainder of the polls.
The controversy didn’t erupt in isolation. It echoes a recent incident in Nimtita, Murshidabad, where seven personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) came under scrutiny for attending an Iftar gathering hosted by a TMC leader— an episode that had similarly drawn disciplinary action.
The BJP was quick to seize on the latest development, questioning how personnel on active duty during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct could enter a political party office and engage in what it termed “casual socialising.”
With polling for all 294 Assembly seats scheduled in two phases on April 23 and 29, the role of central forces has come under sharper focus than ever. Their presence is meant to reassure voters— but moments like these, even if fleeting, risk blurring the lines between duty and perception.
For now, a simple indoor game has turned into a high-stakes political talking point— reminding everyone that in election season, even a striker’s move can echo far beyond the board.
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