Samik Bhattacharya, the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, has publicly endorsed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in light of increasing scrutiny from opposition parties. Bhattacharya expressed that Kumar merits “at the very least, the Padma Bhushan” for his effective management of elections and efforts to update the electoral rolls in West Bengal.

During a press conference, Bhattacharya also criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating that even members of the Congress party do not regard Gandhi’s statements with seriousness. He noted that the internal dissent within Congress reinforces the effectiveness of Kumar’s measures in the electoral process.

Bhattacharya praised the peaceful conduct of elections in West Bengal, highlighting that voters were able to freely express their choices without the fear of violence or intimidation. He remarked on the satisfaction of the electorate, pointing out the absence of violent incidents that have marred elections in the past.

Public Reactions to Election Conduct

The BJP leader emphasised that the electorate in West Bengal has experienced a notable transformation during these elections, reinforcing the public’s confidence in the electoral process. Bhattacharya asserted that citizens across the state have not witnessed elections conducted in such a manner for a considerable time, indicating widespread support for Gyanesh Kumar’s strategies.

In a significant move, Bhattacharya also acknowledged Kumar’s initiative to remove names reportedly associated with Bangladeshi infiltrators from the voter lists. This measure appears to have resonated with the public, considering the sensitive nature of border security issues.

Amidst positivity about the electoral process, Bhattacharya reiterated that Kumar’s actions are widely appreciated by the electorate, positioning the recent elections as a benchmark for transparency and integrity in the democratic framework of the state.

Opposition Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

In contrast to the BJP’s praise, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) has demonstrated against Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation. Protests have escalated in various states, with Congress members marching from Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. This is part of a broader dissent against the Election Commission amid growing discontent regarding its operations.

In Patna, Bihar, law enforcement deployed water cannons to disperse Congress workers rallying for Kumar’s resignation, while similar unrest was observed in Punjab, where protesters perched atop police vehicles during their demonstrations. Other states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Manipur have also witnessed Congress-led protests opposing the Election Commission’s functioning.

In Shimla, the Congress cadre protested outside the State Election Commission’s office. During the demonstration, they obscured the official signage, illustrating their frustration with the electoral body. Demonstrators in Manipur demanded Kumar’s prosecution and engaged in clashes with police forces, leading to tensions that required the employment of tear gas for crowd control.

Overall, the protests represent an intensified campaign by the Congress party against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, exacerbated by a report indicating objections raised by Election Commissioners concerning the procedures related to the electoral rolls. Demonstrations have emerged as a key narrative in the ongoing political discourse regarding the Election Commission’s methods and integrity.

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