Why such a large-scale IAS, IPS transfer ahead of Bihar assembly poll? BJP’s state unit questions, complains

BIHAR elections are yet to take off officially, but the heat is already on. A delegation led by the Opposition Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) met Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar in Patna on Wednesday. The reason: to lodge a strong protest against large-scale transfer of IAS and IPS officers ahead of the state assembly polls. The delegation demanded that those IAS and IPS officers who have served…
in their posts for less than three years need to be allowed to continue with their current postings.
In what be seen as a pre-poll strategy by the ruling party JD(U), as many as 46 IAS and 44 IPS officers, most of them at the district level, were transferred recently. Legally it is allowed though, as the election notification is yet to be issued and hence the model code of conduct has not been enforced as yet. The notification for Bihar assembly poll is likely to be issued in the coming fortnight.
According to reports, BJP state unit president Mangal Pandey said that the recent IAS, IPS reshuffle was aimed at pressurizing a new set of officials to toe the line of the ruling party and help it win the coming elections. In the memorandum submitted to Bihar Chief Electoral Officer, the delegation further said that the large-scale administrative reshuffle just ahead of the election process was meant only for vitiating the poll process.
According to the BJP's charge, some “tainted” officials who are also close to the state government and its ministers, will now handle duties in some districts, thereby raising concerns.
It however remains to be seen whether the Chief Electoral Officer of the state will actually put a stay order on the transfer of those officials who are yet to complete their three years terms in a particular district. Maybe, there could be some action once the model code of conduct is in place and the Election Commission gets a mandate to transfer any official in the election-going state.