West Bengal Elections 2026: Protests Erupt as CEC Gyanesh Kumar Exits Kalighat Kali Temple After Puja

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar faced strong protests from Trinamool Congress activists near Kolkata’s Kalighat temple, shortly after offering Puja there. Demonstrators waved black flags, held "Go Back" posters and shouted slogans against both Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision process.

The temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali, is located close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence, adding political weight to the scene. The protests took place on Monday morning, ahead of a packed schedule for the full Bench of the Election Commission of India in the city.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar protests and Kolkata temple visit

Kumar had visited the Kalighat shrine before starting official meetings fixed for the two-day tour. The Election Commission’s interactions with delegations from various registered political parties were scheduled to begin at 10 AM on Monday. As Kumar exited the temple, Trinamool Congress workers displayed black flags and posters bearing "Go-Back" slogans.

Some posters reportedly carried the phrase "Go-Black", while protesters raised anti-Kumar and anti-Special Intensive Revision slogans. Despite the loud demonstrations, Kumar did not respond to the chants. He left the area calmly, smiling, and chose not to comment when media persons asked about the protest targeting the Chief Election Commissioner.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar protests over Special Intensive Revision

When questioned, Gyanesh Kumar limited comments to a short message for the state’s people. "I convey my greetings to all the brothers and sisters of West Bengal. May Goddess Kali bless them all," CEC Kumar said, and then avoided further remarks on the confrontation or the demands linked to the revision exercise.

The tension around the visit had already surfaced on Sunday night. After Kumar and other members of the Commission’s full Bench landed in Kolkata, activists from both Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) held separate demonstrations outside Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. These protests also centred on concerns related to the Special Intensive Revision.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s state leaders later argued that the parallel protests suggested a covert understanding between Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) on the same issue. Both parties shared one main demand regarding the voters’ list exercise. They wanted the Commission to delay declaring West Bengal’s polling dates until the courts finished examining voter documents marked under the "logical discrepancy" category.

The protests at both the airport and Kalighat temple highlighted how the Special Intensive Revision had become a shared flashpoint for rival parties in West Bengal. While activists targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar directly, the Commission continued with its planned meetings on polling preparations and voter list scrutiny.