‘Gyanesh Kumar Deserves Padma Bhushan’: BJP Hits Back Amid Opposition Protests Against CEC

Last Updated:September 25, 2026, 18:17 IST

West Bengal BJP Chief Samik Bhattacharya credited Gyanesh Kumar’s work during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) for removing infiltration and intimidation in West Bengal.

West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya expressed support for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. (PTI Image)

While Congress leaders are protesting across several cities, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expressed full support for the poll body chief, saying he deserves the Padma Bhushan.

Speaking to reporters in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal BJP Chief Samik Bhattacharya said, “Even the Congress party does not take Rahul Gandhi seriously. At the very least, Gyanesh Kumar deserves the Padma Bhushan.”

Bhattacharya credited Gyanesh Kumar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive for removing infiltration and intimidation ahead of West Bengal elections held this year. “The people of West Bengal are delighted that, after so long, intimidation was kept at bay. There were no incidents of murder, and people were actually allowed to cast their votes… The people of West Bengal have rarely witnessed an election like this,” he added.

The BJP’s response came after Congress leaders staged protests across major cities, including Patna and Kolkata, demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation after an Indian Express report flagged an “unprecedented rupture” within the Election Commission of India (ECI), with two Election Commissioners raising objections to the conduct of the SIR exercise.

According to the investigation, the two commissioners said some decisions were made without their knowledge and raised concerns over voter registration, deletion and restoration of names, changes to Form 6 and access to the electoral-roll database. The two Commissioners had also written to Cabinet Secretary against “unauthorised” and “illegal” decisions.

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Why are Congress leaders demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation?

Congress leaders are demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation following an investigative report that revealed an unprecedented rupture within the Election Commission, with two other commissioners raising objections to the Special Intensive Revision exercise.

What led the BJP to defend Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and claim he deserves the Padma Bhushan?

The BJP expressed strong support for Gyanesh Kumar, crediting his Special Intensive Revision drive for keeping intimidation at bay, preventing murders, and ensuring peaceful voting during the West Bengal elections.

What specific concerns were raised by the two Election Commissioners regarding the Special Intensive Revision?

Two Election Commissioners objected that decisions were made without their knowledge, raising concerns over voter registration, the deletion and restoration of names, modifications to Form 6, and database access.

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Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int…Read More

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