Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar faced protests on Monday while visiting the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata. Demonstrators gathered outside the temple and raised “go back” slogans while showing black flags to the Election Commission chief.
The situation briefly created tension in the area before police personnel intervened and brought the situation under control. Security officials ensured that Kumar continued with his scheduled visit and completed his temple prayers.
Protests Also Reported After Arrival in Kolkata
The protests began soon after Kumar arrived in the city on Sunday evening. As his convoy left the airport, members of the All India Trinamool Congress allegedly raised slogans against him.
Demonstrators also showed black flags to his convoy near the Kaikhali area along VIP Road. Activists linked to Left parties reportedly staged protests outside the airport as well, increasing political tensions around his visit.
Three-Day Visit to Review Election Preparedness
Kumar is in West Bengal on a three-day visit to review preparations for the upcoming assembly elections. The Election Commission delegation includes Election Commissioners S. S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
During the visit, the commission will meet leaders from recognised national and state political parties to hear their concerns and suggestions regarding the electoral process. Officials said the discussions will focus on ensuring smooth and transparent conduct of the polls.
Meetings With Enforcement Agencies and Officials
Apart from interacting with political parties, the Election Commission team will hold meetings with enforcement agencies, senior police officials and administrative officers.
These meetings will review law and order arrangements, deployment strategies and coordination among agencies ahead of the elections. The aim is to ensure security and proper management during the polling process.
Interaction With Election Officials and Press Conference
On the final day of the visit, the Election Commission team is expected to meet Manoj Kumar Agarwal and the nodal officer of the Central Armed Police Forces. They will also interact with booth-level officers to assess grassroots-level election preparedness.
Before concluding the trip, the commission is likely to address a press conference in Kolkata to brief the media on their observations and the state’s readiness for the upcoming elections.