West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal and state Finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya have engaged in a public exchange on X (formerly Twitter) following allegations related to a now-dismissed corruption case involving Agarwal’s wife. The online dispute has unfolded amid tensions over remarks concerning electoral officers and the conduct of the electoral process in the state.

Allegations raised by Finance minister

The exchange began after Agarwal posted advice for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), urging them to remain within a "Lakshman Rekha" while carrying out their duties.

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Responding to the post, Bhattacharya referred to an earlier CBI chargesheet that had investigated financial matters linked to Agarwal’s wife. She wrote, "Manoj Agarwal, CEO West Bengal, warns officers about the ‘Lakshman Rekha' and lectures them on ‘service rules'. But where was this moral sermon when, as per a CBI chargesheet, nearly 30 bank accounts and 6 plots worth crores... were allegedly linked to your wife? Before preaching ethics, answer the questions on record. Accountability first, lectures later."

CEO rejects corruption claims

Agarwal responded through the official CEO’s social media handle, rejecting the allegations and defending his wife’s financial record.

The post stated, "The attempt to ‘give a dog a bad name and hang him' stands exposed after this long agnipariksha. Truth and the rule of law will undoubtedly prevail."

Later, the CEO issued a clarification stating that the case had ended with an acquittal by a special judge. He wrote, "To put it briefly, the chargesheet ultimately culminated in an honourable acquittal... Mrs Agarwal owned property since prior to her marriage and regularly filed her Income Tax Returns since 1983 without interruption. All her assets... were truthfully declared and duly assessed by the Income Tax Department over the past 43 years."

Row linked to electoral process debate

The dispute also comes amid criticism from the WBCS Executive Officers Association (WBCSEOA), which had raised concerns about remarks regarding pending electoral cases.

The association said, "With response to the communication on social media by the Bengal CEO on March 2, it is noted with grave concern that names marked as ‘under adjudication' have been attributed to the EROs/AEROs. This is completely untrue and emphatically denied."

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In response, Agarwal cautioned government officers against making comments based on unverified information. He wrote, "Posting comments on the basis of hearsay and attempts to discredit constitutional bodies/statutory authorities can have serious consequences. Govt servants are well-advised to function within the Lakshman Rekha of the applicable conduct rules."

The CEO’s office also stated that not all pending cases were attributed to indecision by EROs but confirmed that some cases had been referred for adjudication and that the facts were verifiable.