Wednesday, August 3 2005 17:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Amid the controversial transfer of police officials in Bihar, senior NDA (National Democratic Alliance) leaders today (Aug 3, 2005) met the Election Commission demanding that it maintain a watch on bureaucratic reshuffles while seeking early elections in the State.

The NDA delegation, led by JDU (Janata Dal United) leader Nitish Kumar, spent over half-an-hour with the Chief Election Commissioner B B Tandon and Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy, after which they told reporters that they had suggested to the poll body to "keep an eye on the postings of senior police officials."

"This is especially vital in districts in which officials were posted on the orders of the EC as it means that the Commission had acknowledged their sensitive nature," Kumar said.

Bihar Governor Buta Singh had ordered the transfer of 17 Superintendents of Police without consulting Chief Secretary G S Kang after which the latter proceeded on protest leave.

The Election Commission had yesterday directed Bihar Government not to transfer District Collectors and poll- related officials without its consent but did not make any comments on the transfer of the police officers.