Kolkata, 07 March (H.S.): Posters mocking India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have appeared in the ward of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee resides, a day before the arrival of the full bench of the Election Commission of India in the city.

The full bench of the poll panel, led by Gyanesh Kumar, is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on Sunday night for a two-day visit. During the trip, the commission is expected to review judicial cases related to voters marked under the “logical discrepancy” category and assess preparations for the crucial Assembly elections scheduled later this year.

The local unit of the All India Trinamool Congress has accepted responsibility for putting up the posters. The posters feature a cartoon depiction of the Chief Election Commissioner lying on the ground and appearing to apologise.

In the illustration, a woman’s fist is shown striking his face, although the woman’s face is not visible. The fist carries the word “Baghini” (tigress). The image also suggests a white saree with a light blue border — widely seen as a visual reference associated with Mamata Banerjee.

The poster also depicts a judge seated on a chair in the background.

The Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal condemned the posters, calling them a reflection of “cheap mentality and extremely insulting expression.”

BJP councillor in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Sajal Ghosh, said the Election Commission is a vital institution of Indian democracy and such disrespect towards its chief is unacceptable. He also claimed that the posters reflect the Trinamool Congress’ unease over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision exercise, under which the names of lakhs of alleged fake voters are reportedly being identified for removal.

Political observers believe the posters were deliberately placed in prominent public locations shortly before the visit of the Election Commission’s full bench, ensuring visibility among a large number of passers-by each day.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh