Kolkata, April 29 -- Ajaypal Sharma set out early on polling day, his convoy moving via Shirakole to a temporary CRPF camp near Diamond Harbour station. It was around 7:45 am when he reached the camp. While he was there, CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh also arrived.

The two officers, along with other senior personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force, remained inside the camp for nearly half an hour, sparking curiosity in several quarters over the nature of their discussions on a crucial voting day.

Sharma has been at the centre of controversy since Monday, after the Election Commission of India appointed him as police observer for Diamond Harbour. A video clip - the authenticity of which UNI has not independently verified ...