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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: A political row erupted in West Bengal\u2019s South 24 Parganas on Tuesday as Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters staged protests, accusing Election Commission-appointed police observer Ajay Pal Sharma of \u201cintimidating\u201d party workers ahead of the second phase of polling.Protests broke out in Falta, where supporters raised slogans outside the residence and election office of TMC candidate Jahangir Khan against the cop. Senior party leaders and state ministers alleged that the Uttar Pradesh-cadre IPS officer was overstepping his role.Also read: Who is Ajay Pal Sharma? UP IPS officer with 500+ encounters who went viral after Bengal poll warning video<\/a>The flare-up follows Sharma\u2019s visit to the area after the Election Commission<\/a> received complaints that Khan\u2019s associates were allegedly collecting voter identity cards and threatening electors. During the visit, Sharma, who earned the title in Uttar Pradesh as \u201cSingham\u201d for his tough policing style, warned that strict action would be taken if any attempt was made to influence voters.In a video going viral, Ajay Pal Sharma was seen warning Jehangir Khan’s family: “Tell him, we\u2019ll deal properly with him if his men continue to threaten…don\u2019t cry or regret it then.”Read more: UP IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma\u2019s video goes viral after raid linked to TMC candidate Jahangir Khan<\/a>Responding sharply, Khan invoked popular film characters to counter the officer\u2019s image. \u201cThis is Bengal; if he is \u2018Singham\u2019, I am \u2018Pushpa\u2019. No amount of threat or coercion by BJP-appointed police officials will be allowed here,\u201d he said, alleging that the officer and accompanying forces had tried to pressure him and his supporters.Also speaking to IANS, the candidate from Falta constituency said, “Around 3 PM. yesterday, he came and tried to threaten my security staff at this party office. Then he went and tried to threaten my family. Is this the duty of a police observer?”“If he has to say something he has to tell the SP or IC. There is no rule of the ECI that says that a police observer can go and threaten people and candidates at their home. To aid the BJP these people are doing illegal things. They are trying to threatened TMC workers and leaders because they know that they won’t win, but we are not afraid,” he alleged further.TMC leaders objected to the officer\u2019s conduct. State minister Chandrima Bhattacharya questioned whether an observer was authorised to carry out late-night visits and issue warnings without evidence. Another minister, Aroop Biswas, said observers were expected to remain neutral and any attempt to act beyond constitutional limits would be challenged legally.Sharma is among the 95 observers deployed by the Election Commission to ensure free and fair polling in the second phase. Falta falls under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency represented by TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee.<\/div>\n