Kolkata, 09 March (H.S.) : Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who is on a three-day visit to West Bengal, visited the iconic Kalighat Kali Temple on Monday morning to offer prayers. His visit, however, witnessed protests outside the temple premises, with demonstrators raising slogans against the Election Commission.

The Chief Election Commissioner was accompanied by the state’s Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal. Protesters had gathered outside the temple even before their arrival and were seen waving black flags while shouting slogans against the Election Commission and the ongoing special revision process of the electoral rolls.

The protesters alleged that several names had been unnecessarily removed from the voters’ list during the special revision exercise. They expressed their anger against the Commission while the Chief Election Commissioner was present at the site.

Despite the protests, Gyanesh Kumar entered the temple and offered prayers. He did not make any comments during the visit. Speaking briefly to journalists after coming out of the temple, he said, “My greetings to all the brothers and sisters of West Bengal. May Goddess Kali bless everyone with happiness.”

He declined to respond to questions regarding the protest and left the venue soon after.

The full bench of the Election Commission of India arrived in Kolkata on Sunday night as part of its three-day visit to the state. Apart from Gyanesh Kumar, the delegation includes Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

A meeting between the Commission and representatives of various political parties is scheduled at around 10 a.m. on Monday. Later in the day, the Commission will also meet senior officials of the state administration, including the chief secretary and the director general of police.

According to sources, after the visit to Kalighat, the Chief Election Commissioner may also visit the Belur Math.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh