2 hrs ago
NCPI Seeks Highest National Honour for Gyanesh Kumar
The Nationalist Citizens Party of India wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The party said Kumar helped conduct peaceful and trustworthy elections in West Bengal.
It said the 2026 polls happened without violence, threats or cheating.
The party also said this helped people trust elections again.
Some opposition voices have criticized the Chief Election Commissioner.
Their criticism followed a report about disagreement inside the Election Commission over the SIR process.
The NCPI asked that Kumar receive the country’s highest recognition.
The party supports the BJP-led NDA, while it did not contest two West Bengal bypolls.
The Nationalist Citizens Party of India wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the nation’s highest recognition for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
NCPI president Jyoti Prokash Chatterjee praised Kumar’s leadership during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
Chatterjee said the polls were conducted without bloodshed, intimidation or electoral malpractice, restoring voter confidence.
The letter came amid opposition criticism of the Chief Election Commissioner over reported disagreement within the Election Commission about the SIR process.
The NCPI is aligned with the BJP-led NDA after former Trinamool Congress MPs joined the party following Mamata Banerjee’s defeat in West Bengal.
- Who
- The Nationalist Citizens Party of India, its president Jyoti Prokash Chatterjee, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- The NCPI requested the nation’s highest recognition for Gyanesh Kumar for his role in conducting the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
- Where
- West Bengal, India.
- When
- The letter was sent on Wednesday; the report is dated October 1, and it refers to the 2026 elections.
- Why
- The NCPI said Kumar’s leadership ensured peaceful and credible elections and restored voter confidence in the electoral process.
Critics of the Chief Election Commissioner
NCPI Supporters
Election Commission’s conduct
Critics of the Chief Election Commissioner
Opposition criticism followed a newspaper report alleging disquiet within the Election Commission over the SIR process.
NCPI Supporters
The NCPI praised the poll panel under Gyanesh Kumar, saying it upheld independence, neutrality and discipline.
Quality of the West Bengal elections
Critics of the Chief Election Commissioner
Critics raised concerns about the election process, reflected in the opposition’s criticism of the Chief Election Commissioner.
NCPI Supporters
The NCPI said the 2026 elections were peaceful and credible, without bloodshed, intimidation or electoral malpractice.
Key facts
- Request
- The NCPI asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant Gyanesh Kumar the nation’s highest recognition.
- NCPI president
- Jyoti Prokash Chatterjee
- Election official
- Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner
- Election cited
- 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections
- NCPI’s assessment
- The polls were held without bloodshed, intimidation or electoral malpractice, according to Chatterjee.
- Political alignment
- The NCPI supports the BJP-led NDA.
- Bypoll decision
- The NCPI did not field candidates in the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly bypolls and said it would campaign for BJP nominees.
Quotes
Jyoti Prokash Chatterjee
National president of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India
“For these contributions, I humbly submit that Gyanesh Kumar deserves the nation’s highest recognition. Honouring him would also send a message to election officials across the country that dedication to fairness and integrity is valued by the Republic.”
theprint.in
“By upholding the independence, neutrality and discipline of the Election Commission, Kumar has reinforced the foundation of the Constitution and strengthened the faith of over a billion citizens in the ballot.”
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