People raise “go back” slogans and show black flags during a demonstration as Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar visits the Kalighat Kali Temple, in Kolkata, on Monday, March 9, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar was shown black flags and faced “go back” slogans in Kolkata on Monday (March 9, 2026) morning in Kolkata near the Kalighat temple. The ECI officials are on a two-day tour in Kolkata to assess the poll-preparedness of the State.
The full bench of the Election Commission of India (ECI) was at Kalighat to offer their prayers at the Kali temple, which is also close to the residence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Mr. Kumar was accompanied by West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal during his visit to the temple. Protests erupted outside the temple premises, but police present at the spot brought the situation under control. The protestors did not carry political flags and did not claim allegiance to any particular political party.
“CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar sought divine blessings at Kalighat Temple and prayed for the well-being of the people of West Bengal, reaffirming the Commission’s resolve to ensure free, fair and festive elections in the state,” a statement from the ECI said after Mr. Kumar’s visit.
“May Kali Maa keep everyone well,” Mr. Kumar said after his temple visit as protests continued on one side. He did not comment on the protests.
Commenting on the issue, former Bharatiya Janta Party State president and MP Sukanta Majumdar said that the ruling Trinamool Congress only has fear as ammunition to intimidate people. “Either they threaten voters or police officials, now they are also trying to threaten the ECI. They think this will make ECI stop their work, but they will continue their work because they do not belong to any party but are an independent body,” Mr. Majumdar said.
On this two-day Kolkata tour, Mr. Kumar is being accompanied by the two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. They arrived in Kolkata on Sunday (March 8) night.
They faced “go back” slogans even on Sunday (March 8) night right outside the Kolkata International Airport. This protest was organised by the TMC. Protests were also seen outside the hotel where Mr. Kumar is staying.
They are going to meet central forces and State law enforcement officials and assess the situation on the ground. The officials will also meet all recognised political party representatives of the State before the Assembly elections.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: People protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar outside the Kalighat Temple
CEC Gyanesh Kumar, accompanied by West Bengal CEO Manoj Agrawal, arrived at the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/BiwBmhaLJS
— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2026
Published – March 09, 2026 11:39 am IST
