Kolkata: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Gyanesh Kumar, arrived at the Kalighat Temple in South Kolkata on Monday morning to offer prayers. While on his way to the temple, he was shown black flags and protesters chanted “Go back.” Police forces present at the scene brought the situation under control, after which Gyanesh Kumar entered the temple and offered prayers.
The Election Commission team, led by the CEC, is in Kolkata in preparation for the West Bengal Assembly elections. Following Gyanesh Kumar’s arrival in Kolkata, similar protests were witnessed near the airport on Sunday night, with TMC workers protesting against the CEC over the SIR exercise of the voter list. As his convoy was leaving the airport, Trinamool workers targeted him, chanting “Go back.” The CEC was also shown black flags as his convoy passed through the Kaikhali area along VIP Road. Left-wing activists also protested outside the airport, escalating tensions in the area. Police stated that the situation was handled firmly, preventing the protests from escalating. They stated that elaborate security arrangements have been made for Kumar’s three-day visit ahead of the assembly elections.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar will meet with political parties, security agencies, and senior administrative officials to review preparations for the assembly elections. Kumar is accompanied by Election Commissioners SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, both of whom are on a tour of the poll-bound state of Bengal.
Officials stated that the full Election Commission bench will first meet with recognized national and state parties to hear their concerns and suggestions regarding the conduct of the elections. They stated that this will be followed by discussions with nodal officers of police and security agencies, and a detailed review meeting with senior police and administrative officials. They stated that the meeting is expected to focus on law and order preparations, deployment plans, and coordination between security agencies ahead of the elections.
On Tuesday, the last day of the visit, the Election Commission team will meet with Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Manoj Kumar Agarwal, and the CAPF nodal officer. Kumar and his team will also interact with booth-level officers. He will also address a press conference before leaving.
