Gyanesh Kumar’s black shawl during Kalighat visit draws parallels with CM Mamata's Delhi protest

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s visit to Kalighat on Monday triggered political discussion after he appeared wearing a black shawl, a symbol many linked to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s earlier protest against the Election Commission in New Delhi.

The symbolism dates back about a month when Mamata Banerjee visited the Election Commission’s office in Delhi wearing a black shawl as a silent protest. She had alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list and accused the poll body of removing names of several valid voters.

During his Kolkata visit to review election preparedness in the state, Gyanesh Kumar faced protests soon after arriving at the airport on Sunday night. Demonstrators showed black flags and continued their protests again on Monday when he travelled to the Kalighat area, the political base of the Chief Minister.

Observers noted that despite the protests, the Chief Election Commissioner appeared in a black shawl while inspecting the area near the Chief Minister’s residence. The attire quickly became a talking point in political circles, with some interpreting it as a symbolic response to the earlier protest.

The Election Commission has not issued any official comment on the matter. However, the development has added to the political buzz ahead of discussions with political parties on voter list issues and election preparations in West Bengal.