Kolkata, March 9 (UNI) Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar faced protests on Monday morning during his visit to the Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata shortly after arriving in West Bengal as part of the Election Commission’s three-day tour of the state.
A group of demonstrators gathered outside the temple and showed black flags while raising “Go Back” slogans as Kumar arrived to offer prayers.
The protests took place in the Kalighat area, the neighbourhood associated with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Kumar, who was accompanied by the state’s Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, entered the temple amid the protests.
Demonstrators alleged that several voters’ names had been arbitrarily removed from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and voiced anger against the Election Commission.
Despite the sloganeering, the Chief Election Commissioner did not respond to the protesters and proceeded with the temple visit.
After offering prayers, Kumar briefly addressed reporters but avoided commenting on the protest.
“My greetings to all the brothers and sisters of West Bengal. May Maa Kali bless everyone,” he said before leaving the area.
According to Election Commission sources, Kumar prayed at the temple for the welfare of the people of West Bengal and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring free and fair elections in the state.
He said that the upcoming polls would be conducted in a fearless environment.
The full bench of the Election Commission of India arrived in Kolkata on Sunday night for a three-day visit.
Apart from Kumar, the delegation includes Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
The Commission is scheduled to hold meetings with representatives of various political parties. Later in the day, it will also meet senior state officials, including the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, to review election preparedness.
Kumar may also visit the Belur Math during his stay.
Protests had already begun on Sunday night when Kumar arrived in the city.
Demonstrators displayed black flags and raised “Go Back” slogans along his route from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport to his hotel in New Town.
Supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress as well as Left parties staged separate protests, with Left activists raising slogans such as “No Voters, No Vote.”
