Kolkata: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar reiterated the Election Commission’s promise to conduct violence-free and peaceful elections in Bengal. On the last day of his visit, the Chief Election Commissioner arrived at Belur Math at 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday. This morning, people standing along his route protested. While en route to Belur Math, protesters gathered under the skywalk in Dakshineswar and waved black flags at Gyanesh Kumar and chanted “Go Back.”
As soon as he arrived, he was welcomed by the monks of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. He first visited the main temple of Belur Math. He then met with Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj, head of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Upon leaving Belur Math, Gyanesh Kumar said, “Greetings to all the brothers and sisters of West Bengal. The Election Commission of India has visited Belur Math, the place of penance of Sri Ramakrishna, Mother Sarada, and Swami Vivekananda, and has declared that the elections in the state will be violence-free. The Election Commission will monitor the law and order situation in the state.” The main goal is to conduct free and fair elections. After this, Gyanesh Kumar’s car left for the Dakshineswar and Adapith temples.
The full bench of the Commission will meet with the state’s Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakraborty, today. According to sources, along with the Chief Secretary, the Commission will meet with the Director General of State Police, the Chief Election Officer, other state police officials, and nodal officers of central forces. The full bench will meet with journalists at 12 noon. In the afternoon, they will leave for Delhi.
Yesterday, he prayed at the Kalighat Temple and also performed the Aarti. Despite some brief interruptions, he performed the puja and, upon leaving the Kalighat Temple, said, “This time, it’s time to vote fearlessly.” Amid protests during the assembly elections, the entire bench of the Commission, including the Chief Election Commissioner, arrived in the state on Sunday night. As Gyanesh Kumar arrived in the city around 9 pm that night, protests erupted near the Kolkata airport. As his convoy was leaving the airport for its destination on Sunday, Trinamool Congress workers shouted “Go Back” slogans at him.
Then, CPM state secretary Mohammed Salim led a protest on VIP Road, and faced opposition from CPM workers and supporters. On Monday, he faced brief obstructions while going to worship at the Kalighat Temple. Protesters saw his car and shouted “Go Back.” He was shown black flags while passing through the Kaikhali area on VIP Road. He faced another protest on Monday while going to Belur Math. Protesters gathered under the skywalk at Dakshineswar, showed black flags to Gyanesh, and shouted “Go Back.”
