Kolkata, 1 December (H.S.).

Tension flared outside the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Kolkata on Monday when members of the BLO Rights Protection Committee raised ‘Go Back’ slogans at the sight of Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and BJP legislators. The BJP delegation had arrived to submit a memorandum regarding demands linked to the State Inspection Report (SIR).

According to sources, as soon as Suvendu Adhikari reached the CEO’s office along with fellow party MLAs, several members of the committee—reportedly supporters of the Trinamool Congress—began shouting slogans and attempted to break past the barricades. A section of them allegedly tried to force their way into the office premises, escalating the situation.

Witnesses said that BLO members protesting outside accused the BJP of “acting as brokers inside the Election Commission office.” The continued slogan-shouting and pushing created a tense and chaotic atmosphere outside the building.

As per the schedule, the BJP delegation met CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal to submit a five-point memorandum related to the SIR process. However, the protest intensified during their visit. The BJP representatives questioned how members of the BLO Rights Protection Committee were allowed to use microphones and hold demonstrations when Section 144 was already in force in the area.

The BJP also demanded that web-casting—meaning CCTV recording—be introduced during SIR hearings to ensure full transparency in the entire process.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh