Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) held a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission in Kolkata on Tuesday, as demonstrations over alleged electoral irregularities spread across several states.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh accused the BJP and the administration of obstructing a peaceful rally despite prior intimation to the police.
He alleged that police and central forces blocked routes across North and Central Kolkata, preventing people from reaching the protest venue.
Demonstrators raised slogans including “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor”. The BJP and the Election Commission have rejected allegations of electoral manipulation.
In New Delhi, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the Congress’s student wing, staged a flash protest at Gate 7 of Rajiv Chowk Metro station, demanding Kumar’s resignation. Police detained several demonstrators.
NSUI said its campaign against alleged “vote chori” would continue until Kumar stepped down.
In Patna, CPI(ML) Liberation’s student and youth wings also marched towards Lok Bhavan but were stopped at J P Golambar.
Police said around 250 people participated and approximately 15 were detained after some protesters breached barricades.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge ordered a review of police action during Monday’s protest in Bengaluru, after demonstrators alleged that protesters and photojournalists had been manhandled.
The protests centre on opposition allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which the Election Commission has denied.
