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
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar faced “go back” slogans and was shown black flags on Monday (March 9, 2026) morning when he visited the revered Kalighat temple in south Kolkata.
Police personnel present at the spot brought the situation under control, allowing the CEC to proceed with his visit to the temple.
Similar demonstrations were seen near the airport on Sunday (March 8, 2026) night over the SIR exercise, after Mr. Kumar arrived in the city.
As his convoy was leaving the airport, TMC workers raised “go back” slogans, targeting him.
Black flags were also shown to the CEC when his convoy was passing through the Kaikhali area along the VIP Road.
Activists of Left parties also staged protests outside the airport, heightening tensions in the area.
Police said the situation was handled firmly, preventing the protests from escalating.
Adequate security arrangements have been made for Mr. Kumar’s three-day visit ahead of the Assembly elections, they said.
Later in the day, Mr. Kumar will hold meetings with political parties, enforcement agencies and senior administrative officials to review preparedness for the assembly elections.
Mr. Kumar is visiting the State along with Election Commissioners SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to assess arrangements for the high-stakes polls.
The full bench of the EC will first meet recognised national and state parties to hear their concerns and suggestions regarding the conduct of elections, officials said.
This will be followed by interactions with nodal officers of enforcement agencies, and a detailed review meeting with senior police and administrative officials, they said.
The meeting is expected to focus on law and order preparedness, deployment planning and coordination among enforcement agencies in the run-up to the elections, they added.
On Tuesday (March 10, 2026), the final day of the visit, the ECI team will hold meetings with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal and the CAPF nodal officer.
Mr. Kumar and his team will also interact with booth-level officers and address a press conference before leaving the city.
Published – March 09, 2026 11:39 am IST
