Kolkata: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar faced “go back” slogans and was shown black flags on Monday morning when he visited the revered Kalighat temple in south Kolkata.
Police personnel present at the spot brought the situation under control, allowing the CEC to proceed with his visit to the temple.
Similar demonstrations were seen near the airport on Sunday night over the SIR exercise, after Kumar arrived in the city.
The full bench of the Election Commission of India (ECI) was at Kalighat to offer their prayers at the Kali temple, which is also close to the residence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Kumar was accompanied by West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal during his visit to the temple. Protests erupted outside the temple premises, but police present at the spot brought the situation under control. The protestors did not carry political flags and did not claim allegiance to any particular political party.
“CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar sought divine blessings at Kalighat Temple and prayed for the well-being of the people of West Bengal, reaffirming the Commission’s resolve to ensure free, fair and festive elections in the state,” a statement from the ECI said after Kumar’s visit.
“May Kali Maa keep everyone well,” Kumar said after his temple visit as protests continued on one side. He did not comment on the protests.
Commenting on the issue, former Bharatiya Janata Party State president and MP Sukanta Majumdar said that the ruling Trinamool Congress only has fear as ammunition to intimidate people. “Either they threaten voters or police officials, now they are also trying to threaten the ECI. They think this will make ECI stop their work, but they will continue their work because they do not belong to any party but are an independent body,” Majumdar said.
On this two-day Kolkata tour, Kumar is being accompanied by the two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. They arrived in Kolkata on Sunday (March 8) night.
They faced “go back” slogans even on Sunday (March 8) night, right outside the Kolkata International Airport. This protest was organised by the TMC. Protests were also seen outside the hotel where Kumar is staying.
They are going to meet the central forces and State law enforcement officials and assess the situation on the ground. The officials will also meet all recognised political party representatives of the State before the Assembly elections.
