West Bengal BJP Chief Backs CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Calls for Padma Bhushan
· India · Times of India, NDTV, Indian Express
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya stated that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar deserves at least the Padma Bhushan for overseeing peaceful elections and removing Bangladeshi infiltrators from voter lists. Bhattacharya praised the conduct of elections in West Bengal, saying voters cast ballots without fear or intimidation and there were no incidents of murder. He claimed the public in West Bengal fully supports Kumar's efforts, especially in a border state where electoral roll revisions were conducted. Bhattacharya also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asserting that even Congress members do not take his statements seriously. His remarks came amid nationwide Congress-led protests against Kumar, including demonstrations in Delhi, Patna, Chandigarh, and other states where police used water cannons to disperse workers. The protests followed the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which Congress opposes.
Why it matters
The endorsement by a state BJP chief highlights growing political polarisation over the Election Commission's functioning, particularly regarding electoral roll revisions in border states. It underscores how institutional bodies like the EC are becoming focal points in partisan debates ahead of future elections.
Read the original report — Times of India
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