IAS Officer Anurag Yadav Removed After Clash With CEC Gyanesh Kumar

A review meeting on West Bengal elections chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar witnessed a heated exchange with IAS officer Anurag Yadav, officials said.

Yadav, a senior IAS officer from Uttar Pradesh, had been appointed as election observer in Cooch Behar.

During the virtual meeting, the Chief Election Commissioner was asking officials about polling booth numbers in their respective areas. When Yadav’s turn came, there was a delay in his response, following which the CEC made a remark.

IAS officer Anurag Yadav strongly objected to this , saying, "You can't talk to me like this." Citing his experience, he said, "I too have spent 25 years in this service. You can't talk to me like this."

Officials said the meeting briefly fell silent after the exchange before proceeding with other agenda items.

Removed as election observer

Sources said that Anurag Yadav has been removed from his role as election observer.

However, an Election Commission official stated that the action was not due to the argument but due to performance concerns.

Commission sources said the Chief Election Commissioner had asked him how many polling booths were in his area. This was a very basic question, which he was unable to answer. He responded very late. The Chief Election Commissioner commented on this, and the IAS officer then confronted him. Anurag Yadav said, "We too have extensive experience in this service. You cannot talk to us like this."

Senior IAS officer in Uttar Pradesh

Yadav is a Principal Secretary-level officer in the Uttar Pradesh government.

He was recently given charge of the Social Welfare and Military Welfare departments. Earlier, he was posted in the IT department.

Officials said the role of an election observer is critical as they act as the eyes and ears of the Election Commission on the ground. Any delay in providing basic information is seen as a serious concern.