Who Is Manoj Agarwal? West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Appointed as Chief Secretary by Suvendu Adhikari Government
The reshuffle also moved Dushyant Nariala to New Delhi and ended several board and extension appointments, officials said.
- On Monday, the BJP Government of West Bengal appointed former state Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal as the new Chief Secretary, succeeding Dushyant Nariala, who moves to New Delhi as Principal Resident Commissioner.
- The BJP Government selected Agarwal to restore the dignity of state laws, contrasting his appointment with the previous administration's practices. He previously drew praise for conducting the 2026 Assembly Elections without violence as West Bengal CEO.
- Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Sagarika Ghose described the development as "outrageous and brazen." Critics also cited a 2013 Central Bureau of Investigation chargesheet regarding alleged disproportionate assets, still pending in the Delhi High Court.
- In related notifications on Monday, the state government terminated tenures of nominated board members and officials exceeding the superannuation age of 60 years. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also appointed retired IAS officer Subarta Gupta as his adviser.
- During his tenure as CEO, Agarwal oversaw the Special Intensive Revision that saw around 91 lakh voters removed from electoral rolls. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee frequently criticized these processes throughout the exercise which began last year.
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Outlook India
The WireManoj Agarwal, Who Oversaw The SIR Exercise As West Bengal CEO, Appointed Chief Secretary In The BJP Govt
The 1990-batch IAS officer helmed the contentious voter roll revision that saw 91 lakh names removed ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.
Who is Manoj Agarwal? West Bengal chief electoral officer appointed as chief secretary by Suvendu Adhikari government
Manoj Agarwal has been appointed Chief Secretary of West Bengal under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's BJP government. He had previously overseen the Election Commission-mandated Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state ahead of the assembly elections.
Bengal BJP govt appoints Chief Electoral Officer as Chief Secretary, announces Cabinet portfolios
West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal, who oversaw the recently held State Assembly elections and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, was appointed Chief Secretary of the State on Monday
Bengal's top poll official, who oversaw SIR, appointed chief secretary
Manoj Agarwal is a 1990-batch IAS officer belonging to the West Bengal cadre. He helmed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls conducted ahead of the now-concluded Assembly polls in West Bengal.
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